Playing to Learn

Can we break away from the fun of the game to examine its educational value?  Playing to learn is one of the students favorite assignments.  It is so hard to transition from playing the games to writing reviews about the games.  The kids want to play all of the games rather than compare and contrast for ideas for their own games.  It is so exciting to see the kids involved in the games and making remarks on improvements or what they like about the games.  Ideas are cranking and we will soon be starting our own creations.....