90 likes | 175 Views
Taking the Mind O ut of the Classroom. James Heslip. Games and Activities. From a very early age, we learn from games and play . Cops-and-robbers and playing house are role simulations .
E N D
Taking the Mind Out of the Classroom James Heslip
Games and Activities • From a very early age, we learn from games and play. • Cops-and-robbers and playing house are role simulations. • Parents and preschool teachers use games to teach colors, numbers, names, and shapes; the process is drill and practice. • Games engage us, capturing our attention. We willingly spend time on task. On a soccer field, at a table with a deck of cards, in front of a computer screen—games catalyze learning. • Most games were not designed to be educational, yet they are immersive, experiential learning environments. • Ignoring the educational power of games dismisses a potentially valuable learning tool.
Benefits of Games • Games and play can be effective learning environment, not because they are fun but because they are: • immersive • require the player to make frequent, important decisions • have clear goals (Very important) • adapt to each player individually • involve a social network.-Richard Van Eck
Social Network • Everyone brings something different to the table. • Students are “forced” to interact, building friendships and relationships they otherwise may not have. • Mutual respect is not only a requirement, it is also a very likely result.
Benefits of Games • “learning is at its best when it is active, goal-oriented, contextualized, and interesting (e.g., Bransford, Brown, & Cocking, 2000; Bruner, 1961; Quinn, 2005; Vygotsky, 1978); and instructional environments should thus be interactive, provide ongoing feedback, grab and sustain attention, and have appropriate and adaptive levels of challenge—i.e., the features of good games.
Survival Activity • http://scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/SubPages/SurvivalGame.htm
Talking to your past • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFGAQrEUaeU
Sources Cited • R. Van Eck, “Digital Game-Based Learning: It’s Not Just the Digital Natives Who Are Restless,” EDUCAUSE Review, Vol. 41, No. 2. • http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/games-and-learninghttp://myweb.fsu.edu/vshute/pdf/shute%20pres_i.pdf • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFGAQrEUaeU • http://scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/SubPages/SurvivalGame.htm