(This is my sixth post in a series of entries I’m using to participate in Blaugust for 2026.)
There’s an interesting read on The Hechinger Report where Jackie Mader has written an article about game sites that avoid school web filters.
(The Hechinger Report, interestingly enough, releases articles under a Creative Commons license. That’s super cool of them, and one of the reasons they’re in my RSS feed reader.)
As is my trend for Blaugust, this isn’t a summary of that article, I’m using it as a jumping off point.
I have a love-hate relationship with games in my classroom.
Also internet filters.
Also, the internet.
Also, computers in general.
All for the same reason, in fact – these things that can be powerful tools for learning are also a student’s go-to for distraction. As someone with unmedicated ADHD, I know the struggle is real.
The difference is in the directions, as with most tools.
I don’t just toss my students at Luanti, I set up a modded server and direct students to complete a task, often one that requires teamwork.
I have students produce game review videos where OF COURSE they have to get some b-roll of them playing the game, but they also have to write up glows and grows (positive and constructive criticism, if we’re being fancy), script things out, record their audio, and overlay everything in post-production.
Many of the reviewed games are hosted on websites that do their best to avoid school filter blocks, which I allow so long as the content is not inappropriate for school. Students will ask what is and isn’t fair game, and I usually say “Imagine I’m showing your review to [Principal], because there’s a good chance I’m going to show it to [Principal] and your parents if you choose poorly.”
That’s usually enough guidance for a 6th grader to make the right call without going over the Student Code of Conduct in detail.
Heck, I’ve had students designing games for close to 20 years. The tools we use have changed, but the core concepts remain.
There’s plenty of reasons to block websites in school, and I’m glad it’s not my job to decide where the line is drawn, but I’ve found in my own little corner of education the easiest path forward is to take the distraction and turn it into a curriculum-based lesson.
I did the same thing with phones, back before my school banned them, but that’s another topic full of mixed feelings for a different post.