Game on the Brain in the Classroom

It's more than the look on their faces that get educators contemplating game based learning in the classroom. It is about the abilities people of all ages seem to possess when they are engaged. 
When a person is engaged in a task they are ready to try, even if it means a few failures along the way, they often stick with it until the end.

The recipe for an engaging game includes the ingredients of fun, interactive decision making, instant feedback, encouragement, and incremental challenges. This recipe seems to gratify the human will to keep trying despite difficulties because they feel happy.

Many educators now view "Gamification" and "Gameful Learning" as huge assets in the classroom. Gamification is "the use of game based mechanics, aesthetics and game-thinking to engage people, motivate action, promote learning, and solve problems" (MrWhitbyd, 2016). Teachers may use a game-like points or award system with rubrics and badges to give students that feel of accomplishment, feedback, and encouragement through failure just as they would in gaming.

Gameful Learning is a similar approach that uses game elements to create a learning environment for accomplishing non-gaming tasks.
When considering either of these approaches in my classroom I must carefully analyze the purpose of creating such an environment. There are some schools who have piloted an entire gaming curriculum. Other classrooms use educational games to enhance their lessons and provide extra practice. Still others use the games based approach to get kids motivated about coming to class and staying on-task.

As a believer in a loving God who created the mind, body, and soul of each being in this world, I take wisdom found in Philippians 4:8 (NIV) for guidance in all of my curriculum and resources in the classroom.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Students need to spend quality time in the study of God and the world and relationships He has designed. Some of this can be taught through certain game elements.
So I am looking for games and game-like concepts for my classroom that create an environment of

• Collaborative (Listen to and help classmates. It's not just about getting points and badges)
• Critical Thinking (Is this right, pure, lovely?)
• Creativity Boosting (I am created in the image of God to be creative like Him)
• Communicative (motivates through constructive feedback)

References:

Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

MrWhitbyd, (2016, April 20). Gamification in Education. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYnbapB5Yl8