Using Board Games in Online Lessons
Memology, Monopoly, UNO and other board games have become popular again recently. They not only create a fun and engaging setting for spending time together but also help develop important skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and teamwork. Beyond that, board games can be an effective tool for engaging students and creating an interactive learning process. In this article we will look at the benefits of using board games in online lessons and share tips for introducing them, along with useful resources for adapting games and creating your own.
Benefits of using board games
- They encourage communication
Board games can be a great way to get students talking in online English lessons. For example, games such as Scrabble or Bananagrams help students expand their vocabulary and improve their spelling, while prompting them to discuss strategies together and interact. - They develop critical thinking
Many board games require well-developed cognitive skills, including problem solving, decision making and logical thinking. Games like Mafia help students improve these skills while practicing English. - They increase engagement
Using board games in online lessons makes learning more interesting and dynamic. The interactive format motivates students to stay focused and take an active part in the lesson. - They introduce culture
Board games from different countries offer a great opportunity to learn more about different cultures and perspectives, which helps develop students’ cultural awareness. - They develop social skills
Group games help students improve their teamwork, cooperation and communication skills. These skills matter not only for language learning but also for success in real life. - They stimulate creativity
Some games, such as Dixit or Scattergories, develop imagination and creative thinking. They prompt students to think outside the box and come up with unique ideas.
Board games are a powerful tool for learning English, because they foster interaction, enrich vocabulary and develop communication skills. However, to get the results you want, it is important to organize the game properly.
Next, let’s look at a few tips that will help you integrate board games into your lessons!
Tips for using board games in online lessons
Choose suitable games
When selecting board games for online lessons, it is important to consider your students’ age and level. Also pay attention to the lesson topic and choose games that help to explore it.
Use online versions
Many popular board games have online versions that let students play together even when they are in different places. It is a great option for distance learning.
Encourage discussion
After the game, it is important to discuss how it went. Ask students to share their impressions and discuss strategies, and give feedback on the language they used during the game.
Give clear instructions
Before the game starts, make sure students understand the rules well. This helps avoid confusion and makes the game effective and fun.
Think about group size
Some games work better for small groups, while others can be effective in larger ones. Take this into account when planning your lessons.
Adapting board games for online lessons
Playing board games online can be tricky. It requires not only clear explanation skills from the teacher but also the ability to adapt games to the online format, making them more interactive and engaging.
You can go two ways:
- Adapt or create board games on different platforms.
- Look for alternative games on Kahoot, Quizlet, Quizizz, Bamboozle, Jeopardy, GimKit, Wordwall and LearningApps.
Let’s look at which websites will help you create or adapt board games:
- ClassTools.net is a platform that lets teachers create their own interactive board games, which can be played online or printed out. The resource has plenty of templates and lets you customize the game mechanics, questions and images.
- Flippity.net is a service that lets you create various learning games (including board games) using Google Sheets. The games can be run online or printed.
- Genially is a tool for creating interactive content (presentations, infographics, games). Teachers can create their own board games, adding English language questions as well as images, video and audio for greater engagement.
- LearnHip is a resource with a wide choice of teaching tools, such as a board game builder, a scrambled sentence generator, a flashcard maker and more.
- Baamboozle: with a premium account you can play games in the Snakes and Ladders format. You simply roll the dice and the task opens automatically. Such games are easy to create and can be run in the main room or in breakout rooms.
- Miro, Jamboard and other online whiteboards are great tools for adapting board games.
Board games in online lessons are not just entertainment but also an effective way of learning that boosts students’ motivation!
Playing fun games in online lessons
Besides educational games that develop speaking, grammar and vocabulary, you can use online versions of popular games such as Mafia, Scattergories, Bananagrams and UNO. This will make your lessons dynamic and fun!
- Online Mafia
An online version of the well-known game Mafia, in which players take on different roles and try to find the mafia.
☺ How to play? Create a game and send the participants a link. You can be either a player or the host. If you don’t want to play, choose a host from among the students. - PizzUno
A game similar to UNO that can be played online.
☺ How to play? Choose multiplayer mode and send your students the link. Once they join, they will see their cards and the playing field. - Skribbl.io
An online version of Pictionary, in which players take turns drawing and guessing words.
☺ How to play? Create a private room, add a word list and share the link with your students. - Plantaingrams
This game helps students improve their spelling, vocabulary and word-building skills in a fun, interactive way.
☺ How to play? Students make words from given letters, training their speed and language. - Scattergories
A classic game in which players come up with words that start with a given letter in a certain category.
☺ How to play? Use an online version or generate the categories yourself.
Conclusions
Using board games in online lessons is an effective way to engage students and improve their skills! By choosing the right games, using online versions and explaining the rules clearly, teachers create a positive learning atmosphere that fosters critical thinking, social skills and creativity.
Try these games in your next lesson and learning will become even more fun!