Digital games are often designed to be interactive, engaging, and adaptable, making them effective tools for helping students with diverse learning needs.
96% of teachers recognize motivation as the most important benefit of using digital games. Digital games lead to improved learning (95%), immediate feedback (94%), personalized learning (93%), using them as rewards (92%), promoting collaborative learning (92%), providing opportunities for learning new technologies (89%), developing critical thinking/problem solving skills (88%), encouraging creativity (88%), and providing opportunities for dynamic learning (82%), were identified by teachers as potential benefits of using digital games in the classroom, figure 1[i].
So, we have quite a few benefits, let’s tackle longer on some of those[ii]
First of all, enhanced motivation and feedback, as digital games are often more engaging than traditional learning methods, which can be particularly important for students with learning difficulties who may struggle with attention and motivation. Also games often provide instant feedback, which helps students understand what they did right or wrong and learn from their mistakes in real-time.
Further on, personalized learning, as educational games adjust the difficulty level based on the student’s performance, ensuring that they are neither too challenged nor bored and allow students to learn at their own pace, and they can repeat levels or concepts as often as needed without feeling pressured.
To continue, development of cognitive and motor skills. Games can help develop problem-solving skills, memory, and critical thinking. For example, puzzle games can enhance cognitive flexibility, while strategy games can improve planning and decision-making abilities. Games that require precise control, such as those involving a mouse or touch screen, can help improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Very important benefit is building social/collaborative skills as multiplayer or cooperative games can help learners to develop social skills, such as communication, teamwork, and empathy and also provide a safe environment where students can experiment, make mistakes, and learn from them without fear of judgment.
Moreover, reducing anxiety in learning new technologies, as the gamified nature of learning games often reduces the pressure to perform in in new topics and technological means, which can help reduce anxiety and improve confidence in students with learning difficulties.
And finally – encouraging independence and creativity as games often allow students to take charge of their own learning, introducing innovative activities, encouraging independence and self-regulation, which are crucial skills for students with learning difficulties.
So, all things considered, learning digital games can be a powerful tool in supporting pupils with learning difficulties. They provide a dynamic, adaptable, and motivating learning environment that can address various educational challenges while fostering essential cognitive, motor, and social skills.
[i] Researchgate “Digital games in the classroom: Benefits and Barriers”, published 12/2022
[ii] National Library of Medicine “The impact of digital educational games on student’s motivation for learning: The mediating effect of learning engagement and the moderating effect of the digital environment”, published January 11, 2024,
