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Reasons to Teach With Math Games

Learn math with games.

Games make math fun for both teacher and student. Games can take the
anxiety out of math and motivate students. Interactive games can be found
online. Use traditional board games, or have students design their own
games.


1.

Understanding


* Using math games helps to develop students' understanding of
the subject. They can learn mathematical concepts in a practical,
hands-on way rather than working through question after question.
Using a game to put a concept into context helps students to
understand why they are learning math.





Motivation


* No one wants to sit and complete worksheet after worksheet.
Having fun is a great motivator for students; they will want to take
part in the lesson. If the game is competitive, it will increase the
motivation. If there is a reward at the end, students will be even
more motivated.





Practice


* Use games to practice math skills. Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty
Images

Games can be used to introduce a topic and to reinforce it. Begin
teaching a new math concept with a fun game and the students will be
enthusiastic. Reinforce the concept with more games and students
will retain what they have learned much more readily. Using math
games to practice what they have learned is a useful and fun way of
consolidating knowledge.





Build Confidence


* Many children worry about failing at math.
Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Many students worry that math is difficult and that they won't be
able to do it. Using games helps students to relax and to develop
their confidence. Using math games regularly, and students will view
it as a fun subject rather than one to be dreaded. Succeeding in a
math game can really boost confidence in a subject that many
students perceive as difficult.





Teamwork


* Working together builds social and communication skills. Ryan
McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images

Math games can involve students working in pairs and teams. This
improves their ability to cooperate and work together. They also
learn from each other. One student may have ability in one aspect of
math that she can share with others in the group. Working together
not only improves math skills, it also builds social and
communication skills.





Different Learning Styles


* Many classrooms are set up to teach in a way that is most
beneficial to visual and auditory learners. Playing math games can
be beneficial to all students because kinesthetic learners will
appreciate the hands-on, practical aspects, and those who are visual
or auditory learners will have an opportunity to develop different
skills.






References


* Photo Credit BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images;
Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images; Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images;

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Comments


* Linda May 14, 2011