When using games to teach skills, what should be done regarding the rules?

When using games to teach skills, modifying the rules carefully can enhance learning experiences and accommodate the individual needs of learners. This approach allows instructors to adapt the game's complexity or modify specific aspects to better align with the learning objectives while maintaining engagement.

For instance, simplifying the rules may help students who are struggling with the game, allowing them to focus on specific skills being taught without overwhelming them. Conversely, making rules more complex can challenge learners who need advanced practice. This flexibility is crucial in educational settings, particularly in behavior analysis, where individualization is key to effective teaching.

Maintaining an unchangeable set of rules may hinder engagement and leave some learners behind, while randomly changing rules could lead to confusion and frustration. Not using games at all would overlook a valuable teaching tool that can facilitate skill acquisition in a fun and interactive way.