Board Game Based Learning: Strategies for Effective Learning

Board Game Based Learning (bGBL) is an educational method that utilizes board games to promote active and engaging learning, enhancing students' cognitive and social skills. However, currently the specific properties of bGBL with respect to the general methodology of Game-Based Learning (GBL) are not clearly defined. This is an issue as most instructional frameworks for GBL, usually centered on videogames, do not make full use of the potential of bGBL. This paper explores the key properties of bGBL as a subset of GBL: we define four characteristics, namely turn structure, personalization, transparency and shared experience, that define bGBL and provide opportunities to promote powerful and meaningful learning. The paper also discusses the importance of creating inclusive games that cater to different learning styles and motivations, making bGBL a versatile and accessible tool for teachers and students.