games-ED launch off The Climate Change Game

April 6, 2011 - PRLog -- The Climate Game is a resource management game and looks at the issue of climate change. The Climate Game is played in the classroom on a single computer by the whole class. The class is divided into teams that take on different roles in the game. They do not compete with each other; in fact, they need to work together to get a high score.

Eight teams are responsible for reducing the community’s carbon footprint. They need to achieve this while at the same time keeping the lights on and making sure that the community remains a pleasant and economically vibrant place to live and work.

The game plays over a number of rounds (15-20 simulated years in the life of the community). The rounds are sub-divided into plan>do>review phases. The rounds progressively speed up, as the learners get to grips with the task at hand. 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-ED (http://www.games-ed.co.uk) approach is fun, but that is not at expense of learning outcomes.

The games have been used in schools, college and universities and are built on tried and tested adult learning simulations that have been used in over 450 workshops. The game compliments standard teaching and offers the best of both worlds.

The games based learning approach is liked by pupils and teachers alike:

•   ““[I liked] the way you were free to make a decision by yourself and your team mates and whatever you did it affected the village.” - Pupil
•   “I thoroughly enjoyed the session, as did the children. This group of children love anything involving money so it really captured their attention whilst dealing with lots of important and complex issues.” – Teacher / Assistant Head

The approach also delivers excellent results, as can be shown in recent feedback from schools:
•   77.5% improvement in understanding of the subject.
•   57% improvement in decision-making skills.
•   67% improvement in comprehension of cause and effect.
•   51% improvement in group working.

The Climate Game is suitable for Key Stage 2 through to degree level and is provided with a teaching guide and worksheets (as pdfs). Help is embedded throughout the game, so the educator can see what is happening in the simulation.

Learning Objectives:
•   Understanding the causes of climate change.
•   Understanding the social, environmental and economic consequences of climate change.
•   Understanding the range of solutions to prevent climate change.
•   Working together to solve problems and make decisions and developing generic / employability skills.

Subject areas: Geography / Environmental Courses / Economics / Science.

Uses:
•   Anchor a term topic.
•   Special days / events.
•   Inter-house competition
•   Student induction.

Teaching Methods Deployed:
•   Debates
•   Discussions (experience transfer)
•   Educational games
•   Role-playing
•   Simulations
•   Pupil/student-led activities or exercises.

The Climate Game licences start at £200 plus VAT (dependent on the size of the establishment).

For more information on The Climate Game and / or games based learning email us (see below) or contact Mary Dees on 0161-427-8684. Or read our games based learning blog (http://www.games-based-learning.com).

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We support curriculum; personal, learning & thinking skills; & cross-curriculum dimensions. Our games provide interactive, experiential learning that promotes collaboration & enables problem solving & accelerated learning of complex subjects subjects.