Games Based Learning Supports Traditional Teaching

Dec. 8, 2010 - PRLog -- games-ED products serve a serious educational purpose, but understand that learning can be fun. games-ED current games based learning range covers sustainable development and soon young people’s issues  and climate change and support learning from year six through to degree level.

“The students thoroughly enjoyed the project and could confidently talk about what they had been doing and talk through their ideas. They have gained fantastic skills!” - Teacher from Mill Green Special School, Newton le Willows

There has been a lot of interest in the use of games in education. A recent teacher survey by Futurelab and conducted by the National Foundation for Educational Research [NFER] shows that:

o   35% of the sample of UK teachers have already used computer games in their teaching
o   60% of teachers would consider using computer games in their teaching in the future.

Different Approach
games-ED takes a different approach to other games based learning companies. The game anchors a whole classroom exercise. The learners take on different roles, but they do not compete with each other; in fact, they need to work together to get a high score.  

The games are played over a series of rounds. The round structure creates natural break points in the game play. This ensures that the educator remains in control and can steer as necessary.  

The games are played on a single computer, so a trip to the IT suite isn’t required. games-ED fits into to a standard teaching situation and offers the best of both worlds.

“When I put together an induction week programme there was always a compromise between introducing the key concepts of the course and encouraging the students to communicate with each other and staff.  [The game] allows me to achieve both these goals in a very entertaining way.  It always amazes me that after a single day I can introduce most of the concepts of Urban Sustainable Development and they also know each other’s names as well!” - Course Leader, Sheffield Hallam University.

The games-ED approach is fun, but that is not at expense of learning outcomes. The games provide interactive, experiential learning that promotes collaboration and enables problem solving and accelerated learning of complex subjects.

“After playing the game, I now appreciate the simple things that government does.” – Pupil, Liverpool Schools Parliament.

Games based learning is a relatively new approach and if educators are to take a leap of faith, then developers need to meet them halfway. Developers cannot expect decades of good teaching practice to be thrown away. Games based learning needs to support the evolution of teaching and not require a revolution. games-ED achieves this aim.

Proven Track Record
pixelfountain (http://www.pixelfountain.co.uk) has been developing learning simulations for nine years. Our education products are marketed under the brand games-ED (http://www.games-ed.co.uk). Our games run in workshop settings with different sub-teams taking on different roles in the simulation. We have delivered around 450 workshops for around 6,000 delegates. We have delivered around 40 lessons in schools, colleges and universities. We have even developed online games with young people.

For more information visit http://www.games-ed.co.uk or read our games based learning blog (http://www.games-based-learning.com)

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games-ED games based learning programmes support: curriculum; personal, learning & thinking skills; and cross curriculum dimensions. They serve a serious educational purpose, but understand that learning can be fun. The games provide interactive, experiential learning that promotes collaboration and enables problem solving and accelerated learning of complex subjects.

Our current games based learning covers young people’s issues, sustainable development and climate change and support learning in primary & secondary schools and Further & Higher Education. To accommodate this diverse age group the learning games can be played at different levels and supported with different activities.