Student Post: Kaylen Dutt: Using Games for Assessment

Should we be assessing our students through games? Liza Stark, a game designer at the Institute of Play, seems to think so, and now I do too. Assessing students through games allows you to see things you might not otherwise see in your student’s learning. The choices that students make while playing games provide insight into what your students do and do not understand. These choices also clearly show how your students are applying their skills like critical thinking and problem-solving. Games also allow your students to receive immediate feedback on the choices they are making. The outcome of their move in the game can allow them to shift their strategy and take a little more control of their learning. Since games involve more than just content knowledge, they provide students with the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of their learning. One of the most important perks of using games for assessment in my opinion is that games are fun! The typical stress of assessment is removed, and the pressure is taken off. Students will be more relaxed and capable of showing more of what they know!


So how do we go about using games to assess our students? During gameplay, we can start off by having our students create some sort of product based on the game they are playing. For example, if students are playing a game they could make a video tutorial of how to play the game or something along those lines. We can then assess their product for understanding. We could also develop a list of questions to ask our students while they are playing the games. It is important to rotate around the classroom while students are engaged in their games to have the opportunity to speak to each student. Another idea Liza Stark had was asking students to track their moves throughout the game. Tracking their moves allows them to look back at what they did, and allows you as their teacher to see what their process was while playing the game. After students have played their games, you can extend assessments and have students create. You can have your students create a mod for the game they played. They can do this by picking a rule to change, or adding a new rule in! To expand their understanding, it is important to have them explain the impact that rule will have on the gameplay. Another way to assess students would be to have them design their own games. Then, they can play their games and review content and skills! Lastly, you can have your students write a strategy guide to help new players learn how to win the game they played!

I’ve learned a lot from Liza Stark, and I hope I helped you learn more about her ideas too! If you want to watch her video, you can do so here!