GAMES IN LEARNING Presented by AnneMarie Burchell BOARD

GAMES IN LEARNING Presented by Anne-Marie Burchell

BOARD GAMES ANYTHING BUT REDUNDANT IN TODAY’S DIGITAL AGE EMBARGOED: 12: 01 AM TUESDAY AUGUST 18, 2009 A major nation-wide study into playing board games has revealed that putting a family games night on the agenda provides much more than fun and games, with a host of unexpected benefits including increased communication, improvements in key learning areas and positive behavioural changes. The study also showed that board games are bucking the social trends of the digital age providing a catalyst to return to family values and spending quality time together. Some interesting findings were: • By the conclusion of the survey, 9 out of 10 families planned to continue playing board games on a weekly basis, with 87% of kids initiating play, proving they are far from enslaved to the digital world • 97% of participants rated the appeal of playing board games together as a family as either very appealing or appealing • 95% either felt strongly or agreed that playing board games had improved their children’s life skills, 94% agreed it had helped their children learn, while 89% felt it improved their children’s concentration.

How does this link to the Early Years? Early Years Curriculum Guidelines is focused on: - Productive Partnerships QCT is focused on…

How games can support learning - Allows students to interact with materials - Assist students in consolidating their learning - Minimise student resistance to a particular topic or focus - Encourage peer mentoring - Students feel safe to explore and ask questions - Promote cooperative learning skills

Relevance to the Early Years Curriculum - Supports the concept of a ‘play based’ curriculum - The teacher has the opportunity to play the role of a ‘coplayer’ or a ‘partner in play’ - Can be used to create and support positive partnerships between teachers, parents and students - Supports the view of students being ‘capable and competent’ learners

Strengthening the link between school and home - Literacy bags can be utilised - Parents feel comfortable and ‘able’ to play a game with their child/ren - Other siblings can become involved in the ‘game’ - Bingo games can be made and be sent home with the students spelling list and sight words in them (the children can cut these cards out themselves)

Where can I find suitable games? - School library - Educational Supply Stores - Internet sites (ensure spelling is Australian English) Or… Create!

Types of games available • File folder games • Board games • Bingo games • Simple games (matching, snap etc)

Why printable games? - If you lose a bingo card or a board game gets lost the replacement cost is minimal - For your money, you can have a larger range of educational games than you could, store bought - You can print copies to send home with students - All students in your class can play the same game at the same time when multiple copies are used with small groups

D. I. Y games P+ M- As a teacher you can ensure that the game is relevant and supports the curriculum. Time! You have control over what goes onto / into the game (how many players, words, type of words etc). Costs for the laminating pouches and printing will often come out of the teacher’s own pocket Access to printer and laminator You can create the game to suit your students interests as well as the educational focus (BEN 10) Example of how to make DIY game

How else could games be used to support the learning process?

GAMES IN LEARNING WORKSHOP Presented by Anne-Marie Burchell