Everyone should be included in board game play

As parents and educators, we can no longer ignore the sensation that is gaming. We must embrace the benefits that include (but are not limited to) critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, and creativity—all skills necessary for 21st-century living.

Game-based learning is not an addition to what you’re already doing; it’s a compliment!

Students can either learn new concepts or apply the concepts learned through board games. Research shows that board games meet the AASL Standards for 21st-century learning and Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning.

Further, board games can target subject-specific curriculum goals.

This video series focuses on offline games: good old-fashioned board games that gather family, friends, and classmates around a table while building on those same 21st-century skills—all while ensuring the inclusion of all players.

I chose the board game types for their availability and accessible pricing. Many of these games have dollar store versions that I recommend looking into first.

There is a second-hand board games market that I encourage you to explore—either online or at your local thrift store. Don’t forget about garage sales and your local library, too!

If you are an educator, therapist, tutor, etc., and you use board games with your students or clients, you shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket.

Please share the Board Games for Learning whitepaper with your administration to highlight the benefits of game-based learning and explore other board game products available. The cost of this resource can be covered through professional development budgets.

Invoices are provided upon request.

However, it’s a good idea to have:

• Transparent loop and hook dots (of various sizes) and strips (they sometimes come in rolls)
• Access to a printer or photocopier
• A variety of dice—with dots, numerals, and of different sizes (you can swap from other games)
• Painter’s tape of various colors
• Textured markers/dots
• Puffy paint/markers

You can find many of these items at your local dollar store.

Further, using sturdy board games ensures the games last longer than printed materials that require constant preparation.

Every game session offers a unique learning opportunity.

There’s a misconception that board games are only deemed “educational” if they are subject-specific games like math, science, or phonics games. This is untrue! All games are educational, and I share how so in this series.

I do include in “The Guide” subject-specific goals that board games target with language you can use for reporting (or simply because you geek out on that kind of thing as I do!).

If seeing the excitement and progress in your learners isn’t enough to motivate you, I will send you a series of emails after purchase to remind you and keep you accountable.

If you’re looking for a “rule book” with modifications to game rules, you won’t find that here. While I suggest modifying rules as a strategy (and I offer one or two ideas to spark the imagination), it would depend on each learner’s level and the type of adaption required. The ideas shared in the series are, for the most part, based on the game’s existing rules as a means for true inclusion.

However, maybe The Game Changer Toolkit might be what you’re looking for!

No. I believe we have enough going on. One more meeting and one more social media group is something we could do without. This training is asynchronous. You are welcome to work through it at your own pace and revisit it as often as you wish! I do send out a series of emails to keep you accountable. I also provide additional bits of information in those emails to help make board game play as accessible as possible.

You will be asked to create a username and password when you purchase the Video Series Course. As soon as your payment is processed, you will receive instant access to our members-only Educator’s Lounge.

Once you’re in, you will find the 10 videos, downloads, and transcripts waiting for you.

I suggest beginning with the welcome video to get oriented on the platform. Then to get acquainted with the entire video series, watch the introduction video in the “Adapting Board Games Video Series” section. There, you’ll find a series checklist you can use to guide you. But you are welcome to hop around to what you need most. You can view any of the videos anytime, however many times you’d like!