Do you play games in the classroom?
By and large, games are not viewed as effective ways of learning a language. It is well known that traditional learning prevails in most classrooms. Both video games and non digital games are played by most of our students for several hours every day. So why don't we use them for educational purposes?
There are some schools in which technology is not an option, one may think. In those cases, non digital games could be a very useful alternative .
What are the advantages of game based learning?
To begin with, it promotes a learner-centered classroom. When they play games, students are active participants. They have an active role, they are not passive recipients.
Needless to say, holding and keeping students´ interests is no easy feat. However, we cannot deny how appealing games are to students. Games are engaging and can help us keep our students motivated. They have fun and pay close attention.
When students play games, the results are seen immediately, for this reason they maintain motivation. It is important to make sure that the games allow students to make choices. Additionally, the difficulty level should be high but achievable, otherwise students might lose interest.
A further advantage of Game Based Learning is that it fosters creativity, encouraging learners to find outside of the box sollutions, writing stories, making comic strips.
Another advantage is that it instills empathy and social skills. In order to participate, students must work together. Interaction is a must.
“Language, or grammar, is not about having; it is about doing; participating in social experience.”
(Meddings and Thornbury, 2011, p. 17)
Furthermore, roleplaying games that simulate the roles of soldiers, spies conflict zone victims help develop empathy allows for moral and ethic values discussions.
Moreover, there is a host of games that are cost effective. For instance, oral games do not require any material. There are also many games that can be downloaded for free. The latter could be shared with other grades.
Game Based Learning can create a Zone of Proximal development, a concept developed by Lev Vygotsky which refers to the distance between what a learner can do without help and what they can do with the guidance of a teacher or skilled peer. This can be achieved when the students move from level to level, by providing scaffolding when helping them when they need and request it, as well as keeping the games flexible.
This approach also allows the co-creation of knowledge. While students are playing, any learning opportunity that may arise out of the games could be used by both the teacher and the learner.
Let's take advantage of all these benefits!
By and large, games are not viewed as effective ways of learning a language. It is well known that traditional learning prevails in most classrooms. Both video games and non digital games are played by most of our students for several hours every day. So why don't we use them for educational purposes?
There are some schools in which technology is not an option, one may think. In those cases, non digital games could be a very useful alternative .
What are the advantages of game based learning?
To begin with, it promotes a learner-centered classroom. When they play games, students are active participants. They have an active role, they are not passive recipients.
Needless to say, holding and keeping students´ interests is no easy feat. However, we cannot deny how appealing games are to students. Games are engaging and can help us keep our students motivated. They have fun and pay close attention.
When students play games, the results are seen immediately, for this reason they maintain motivation. It is important to make sure that the games allow students to make choices. Additionally, the difficulty level should be high but achievable, otherwise students might lose interest.
A further advantage of Game Based Learning is that it fosters creativity, encouraging learners to find outside of the box sollutions, writing stories, making comic strips.
Another advantage is that it instills empathy and social skills. In order to participate, students must work together. Interaction is a must.
“Language, or grammar, is not about having; it is about doing; participating in social experience.”
(Meddings and Thornbury, 2011, p. 17)
Furthermore, roleplaying games that simulate the roles of soldiers, spies conflict zone victims help develop empathy allows for moral and ethic values discussions.
Moreover, there is a host of games that are cost effective. For instance, oral games do not require any material. There are also many games that can be downloaded for free. The latter could be shared with other grades.
Game Based Learning can create a Zone of Proximal development, a concept developed by Lev Vygotsky which refers to the distance between what a learner can do without help and what they can do with the guidance of a teacher or skilled peer. This can be achieved when the students move from level to level, by providing scaffolding when helping them when they need and request it, as well as keeping the games flexible.
This approach also allows the co-creation of knowledge. While students are playing, any learning opportunity that may arise out of the games could be used by both the teacher and the learner.
Let's take advantage of all these benefits!
Comentarios
Publicar un comentario