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15 Engaging Free Educational Games for High School Students [2023]
High school education doesn’t have to be all textbooks and lectures. Educational games can be a fantastic way to engage high school students, making learning fun and interactive. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore 15 free educational games that cover various subjects, from English and history to programming and media literacy. Whether you’re a teacher looking for classroom resources or a student seeking engaging learning experiences, these games are sure to captivate and educate.
Table of Contents
- Quick Answer
- Quick Tips and Facts
- Educational Games: A Brief History
- Spaceteam ESL: Chaotic English Vocabulary Practice
- Geoguessr: Addictive World Geography Exploration
- Terminal Two: Engaging Programming Concepts
- When Rivers Were Trails: Native Perspectives on Forced Migration
- Little Alchemy 2: Discovery-Based Puzzler
- Textadventures.co.uk: Text Adventure Creation
- That’s Your Right: Understanding the Bill of Rights
- BBC iReporter: Media Literacy Simulation
- Liyla and the Shadows of War: Emotional Perspective on War
- Parable of the Polygons: Exploring Bias and Diversity
- FAQ
- Conclusion
- Recommended Links
- Reference Links
Quick Answer
Looking for engaging educational games for high school students? Here are 15 free games that cover a wide range of subjects, from English vocabulary and world geography to programming concepts and media literacy. Explore these games to make learning fun and interactive.
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Quick Tips and Facts
- Educational games can enhance learning by making complex subjects more engaging and interactive.
- Games covering diverse subjects such as English, history, programming, and media literacy can cater to a wide range of student interests and learning styles.
- Free educational games provide accessible resources for both teachers and students, promoting inclusivity in education.
Educational Games: A Brief History
Educational games have a rich history, dating back to the early days of computer-based learning. Over time, these games have evolved to encompass a wide array of subjects and learning objectives. Today, educational games for high school students are designed to align with curriculum standards while offering engaging and interactive experiences.
Now, let’s dive into the world of educational games for high school students, exploring each game’s unique features, benefits, and potential drawbacks.
1. Spaceteam ESL: Chaotic English Vocabulary Practice
Spaceteam ESL is a chaotic and fun game designed for practicing English vocabulary. Players work together as a team to keep their spaceship from falling apart by following instructions that appear on their screens. The catch? The instructions are in English, and each player has different controls on their screen, leading to hilarious confusion and rapid vocabulary recall.
Grade Range: 2–12
Price: Free
Bottom Line: Spaceteam ESL offers a fun and engaging way for English Language Learners (ELLs) to practice vocabulary in a high-energy, collaborative setting.
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2. Geoguessr: Addictive World Geography Exploration
Geoguessr is an addictive game that drops players into a random location on Google Street View and challenges them to guess where they are. Players use visual clues to pinpoint their location on a world map, promoting geographical awareness and cultural understanding.
Grade Range: 4–12
Price: Free, Paid
Bottom Line: Geoguessr is a captivating way to spark students’ interest in world geography and different cultures through immersive exploration.
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3. Terminal Two: Engaging Programming Concepts
Terminal Two offers engaging games that teach programming concepts through interactive challenges. Students can learn fundamental programming skills while solving puzzles and exploring the logic behind coding.
Grade Range: 4–12
Price: Free
Bottom Line: Terminal Two is an excellent resource for introducing high school students to the basics of programming in a game-based environment.
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4. When Rivers Were Trails: Native Perspectives on Forced Migration
When Rivers Were Trails is a point-and-click story game that shares Native perspectives on forced migration. Through immersive storytelling, players gain insights into historical events from indigenous viewpoints, fostering empathy and understanding.
Grade Range: 5–12
Price: Free
Bottom Line: When Rivers Were Trails offers a unique and alternative perspective on colonial history, promoting cultural awareness and historical empathy.
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5. Little Alchemy 2: Discovery-Based Puzzler
Little Alchemy 2 is an amusing, discovery-based puzzler that encourages creativity and systems thinking. Players combine different elements to create new items, fostering curiosity and exploration across various subjects.
Grade Range: 6–12
Price: Free
Bottom Line: Little Alchemy 2 offers an engaging way for students to explore interconnected concepts and develop critical thinking skills.
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6. Textadventures.co.uk: Text Adventure Creation
Textadventures.co.uk allows players to play or design text adventures, fostering creativity and storytelling skills. Students can explore interactive fiction or create their own narrative-driven games, promoting literacy and imaginative expression.
Grade Range: 6–12
Price: Free
Bottom Line: Text adventures can be a blast to play and make, offering a unique way to engage with storytelling and game design.
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7. That’s Your Right: Understanding the Bill of Rights
That’s Your Right is a card game designed to help students understand the Bill of Rights through relatable everyday situations. By exploring how the Bill of Rights applies to various scenarios, students gain a deeper understanding of constitutional rights and their real-world implications.
Grade Range: 6–12
Price: Free
Bottom Line: That’s Your Right offers a fun and relatable way for students to grasp the significance of the Bill of Rights in practical contexts.
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8. BBC iReporter: Media Literacy Simulation
BBC iReporter is a media literacy simulation that allows students to explore filtering and interpreting information and media. By engaging with real-world scenarios, students develop critical thinking skills and gain insights into the complexities of media consumption.
Grade Range: 7–12
Price: Free
Bottom Line: BBC iReporter provides a modern and interactive platform for students to enhance their media literacy skills in a dynamic virtual environment.
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9. Liyla and the Shadows of War: Emotional Perspective on War
Liyla and the Shadows of War offers a stark and arresting game that provides an emotional perspective on the human toll of war. Through immersive storytelling, players confront the effects of war on families, fostering empathy and critical reflection.
Grade Range: 9–12
Price: Free
Bottom Line: Liyla and the Shadows of War offers an effective and emotionally impactful experience for students to consider the human consequences of conflict.
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10. Parable of the Polygons: Exploring Bias and Diversity
Parable of the Polygons is a dynamic interactive experience for exploring topics of bias and diversity. Through engaging gameplay, students gain insights into how communities become segregated due to individual bias, fostering discussions on inclusivity and social dynamics.
Grade Range: 9–12
Price: Free
Bottom Line: Parable of the Polygons offers a fascinating and thought-provoking way to address issues of bias and diversity in a game-based context.
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FAQ
What are some fun but educational games?
In addition to the games mentioned in this article, there are numerous other fun and educational games available for high school students. Games like “Mission US” and “Quandary” offer immersive historical narratives, while “CodeCombat” and “Scratch” provide interactive programming experiences.
What games are good for class?
Games that promote collaboration, critical thinking, and subject-specific knowledge are ideal for classroom use. Titles like “Spaceteam ESL,” “That’s Your Right,” and “BBC iReporter” offer engaging experiences that align with educational objectives.
How can I make learning fun in high school?
Integrating educational games, interactive simulations, and storytelling experiences can make learning fun and engaging for high school students. By leveraging game-based learning, educators can cater to diverse learning styles and foster a passion for knowledge.
Read more about “… Prodigy Games: The Ultimate Math Learning Adventure for Kids”
What is the scrambled eggs game for the classroom?
The “scrambled eggs game” is a popular classroom activity that simulates the challenges of resource management and decision-making. Students work in teams to navigate complex scenarios, promoting teamwork and strategic thinking.
Conclusion
In conclusion, free educational games offer a wealth of opportunities to engage high school students in diverse subjects and learning experiences. From English vocabulary practice to immersive historical narratives and programming challenges, these games cater to a wide range of educational objectives. While each game has its unique strengths, they collectively contribute to making learning fun, interactive, and impactful.
| Game Title | Educational Value | Engagement | Accessibility | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spaceteam ESL | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8.7 |
| Geoguessr | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8.7 |
| Terminal Two | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8.3 |
| When Rivers Were Trails | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8.0 |
| Little Alchemy 2 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8.3 |
| Textadventures.co.uk | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8.0 |
| That’s Your Right | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7.7 |
| BBC iReporter | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8.7 |
| Liyla and the Shadows of War | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8.3 |
| Parable of the Polygons | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8.3 |
Based on the comprehensive exploration of these educational games, we confidently recommend integrating them into high school learning environments to enrich students’ educational experiences.
Recommended Links
- CHECK PRICE on: Amazon | Walmart | Etsy
- Shop Educational Games on: Amazon | Walmart | Etsy
- Related Books on Amazon: Educational Games for High School Students | Game-Based Learning in Education
Reference Links
- 10 Great Free Games for High School Students
- The Power of Game-Based Learning in Mathematics Education: A Comprehensive Guide
- Educational Apps
- Math Games
- Educational Games
- Minecraft Education Guide
With this comprehensive guide, we’ve delved into the world of educational games for high school students, offering a diverse array of engaging and impactful learning experiences. Whether in the classroom or at home, these games have the potential to transform education into an interactive and enjoyable journey.
