EFFICACY RESEARCH

Extensive research highlights the positive impact of digital educational games on learning outcomes, including increased engagement, improved information retention, and enhanced critical thinking skills. However, bringing these benefits into diverse educational settings demands significant time and effort. Educators often encounter challenges in designing, developing, implementing, and managing these games. Key issues include aligning game content with curriculum standards, ensuring accessibility for all students, and maintaining student engagement, particularly with our digital-native generation accustomed to frequent screen use.

We present a successful case study of integrating an educational video game into a biology course with minimal time and effort. The game, “Life on the Edge,” is designed to be both engaging and time-efficient, requiring minimal playtime while delivering substantial educational value. It is freely available and suitable for a wide range of ages, from K-12 to post-secondary students and beyond. This broad accessibility makes it an excellent resource for educators across various educational levels.

Instructors can utilize the game’s sandbox mode to demonstrate fundamental biological concepts. For instance, the sandbox mode can illustrate how cells balance water and nutrients, providing a hands-on, interactive learning experience. This feature allows educators to customize the game environment to align with specific learning objectives, making it a versatile tool in the classroom.

By incorporating “Life on the Edge” into the biology curriculum, educators can enhance traditional teaching methods with interactive digital content, facilitating a deeper understanding of complex concepts. The game’s design ensures that it complements existing teaching strategies without requiring extensive modifications or additional resources. This integration showcases how educational games can be effectively utilized to enrich the learning experience, promoting active engagement and a deeper comprehension of the subject matter.