Power of Games: The Discovery of the “BEN-FIELD” to Enhance Students’ Real-World Learning Development

Abstract

This article does not intend to encourage students to play games without parental supervision but rather looks at a different perspective that reflects positive influences by focusing on analyzing the potential of games as a tool to promote learning and develop students’ life skills through the “BEN-FIELD” framework. The framework consists of progress beyond boundaries, emotional resilience, navigational strategies, focused execution, interpersonal dynamics, ethical decision-making, adaptability for learning, and determination. In the context of a rapidly changing digital society, this study offers guidelines for using games to support learning process, selecting game genres appropriate to educational goals, balancing time management, integrating games into the curricula, promoting social and emotional skills through games, and implementation the concept of gamification. The analysis results revealed that games could improve major life skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, time management, and teamwork. However, to maximize the benefits of games, appropriate management guidelines to prevent negative effects and enhance students’ potential to handle prospective challenges have been considered pivotal.