🏷️ Concept
Game-Based Learning
Game-based learning (GBL) — the use of games themselves (digital or physical) as the medium and context for learning, where the game's mechanics, challenges, and progression carry educational content. Learners learn through playing. GBL is distinct from Gamification, which adds game elements (points, badges, leaderboards) to non-game activities. In AI and robotics education, GBL is used to make technical content engaging and motivating, and is more prevalent in informal settings.
GBL is grounded in Motivation, Student Engagement, and Active Learning theories: games provide intrinsic motivation, immediate feedback, and authentic problem contexts. It overlaps with Gamification, Simulation, and Project Based Learning. GBL is particularly relevant to Educational Robotics, Computational Thinking, and Programming Education, where games can make abstract technical concepts concrete and fun.
How GBL appears in the wiki's research
GBL connects to Gamification, Educational Robotics, Student Engagement, Motivation, Active Learning, Simulation, and Project Based Learning.