Transcript Let the Games Begin” N.E.W.T.O.N. Academy

“Let the Games Begin”
N.E.W.T.O.N. Academy
Bureau of USDA Nutrition
Programs Conference
March 12, 2008
Objectives
Develop one game to use for your
audience
Devise three rules to help structure
your game
Name two other games that you
could use in your presentations
Icebreaker
Please introduce yourself and briefly
describe your favorite childhood
game
What is an educational moment?
It is any moment that we are aware
The only time that we do not learn is
when we shut our awareness off
Can you think of a time when you
weren’t aware?
When education is repeatedly
focused on learning with very little
interaction of our senses, then we
stop thinking and we stop learning
Playing Games Can Increase our
Awareness!
Games that offer more choices, are
more educational:
For example,
*Placing foods in the correct spots
on mypyramid
*Comparing prices of fruits and
vegetables versus processed
snack foods
Why Use Games to Teach?
They are fun!!!
They can lower anxiety which can help
with input
They are highly motivating!
The use of games involves learning
opportunities at several levels
Why Use Games to Teach?
Rheta DeVries states that group
games provide a good context for
social and moral development,
especially for the construction of
reciprocal and reversible
relationships.
Varieties of Games
An already established game, but fit
the game to your needs
For example:
*Bingo
*Pictionary
*Jeopardy
Varieties of Games
Matching Games
Helpful for remembering
*Definitions
*Sequences
*Phrases
Varieties of Games
Word Search Games
Crossword Puzzles
Role playing or theatrical
Simulation Games-ordering from a
menu
How To Use Games in Your
Presentations
Break the ice
Add diversion to regular classroom
activities
To introduce new ideas
Use after lunch
Use on Friday afternoons or before
holidays
How To Use Games in Your
Presentations
Use games to enhance learning and
motivate students
Use at any stage of the lesson when
appropriate
Keeps students entertained while you
are setting up for a food
demonstration
Children Benefit from Games That:
Require moving around
Imitate a model
Have structure
Concerns About Group Games
Competitiveness may have negative
effects on some children
Alfie Kohn argues that competition
damages self esteem, relationships, and
mutual trust
Group games that encourage competition
can be done in a healthy manner
Positive Game Playing
Divide players into teams
Encourage cooperation among the
players
Encourage discussion of answers for
consensus before giving final answer
Positive Game Playing
Set rules to keep structure
Children must agree to the rules
Children must abide by the rules
Children must accept the consequences of
the rules
How To Use Games in Your
Presentations
Know who your audience will be
Go to website for Arizona Education
Standards to help develop or adapt your
game for school age children
Be clear and concise with rules for your
game
How To Use Games in Your
Presentations
Don’t hand out materials until the rules
have been presented
Try to keep everyone involved
Keep score
Pace the game and use a timer
Keep the atmosphere light
How to Use Games in Your
Presentations
Aim for a combination of chance and skill
Encourage problem solving
Be fair and don’t waiver from the rules
that were set
Stay Creative-but stick to the messages
from the Arizona Nutrition Network.
How To Use Games In Your
Presentations
Make sure that you have something
to help the players keep their
attention on the game
*whistles, bells, fruit or veggie
rattles
Look for popsicle sticks, etc…..to
help pick students for teams
Develop Your Own Games
Break into groups
State who your audience will be
Develop an objective
Keep the Network messages in mind
when you develop your objective
Choose your game
What will be your rules for the
game?
Rules for Developing Your Own
Games
What kind of supplies will you need?
How long will your game be played?
How are you going to play the game?
Present Your Game
A list of games that were developed
in this class as well as other game
ideas that are emailed to us will be
organized and presented to you at a
later date
Email:
[email protected]
Or [email protected]
Bibliography
Berlinger, Y. (2007). Using Games to Educate and Enrich, A
How To Guide. www.highcontentgames.com/
DeVries, R. What Is Constructivist about Constructivist
Education? www.uni.edu/coe/regentsctr
Thiagi, Chapter 18, Using Games for Learning.
www.telelogic.net/AIS/chapter18.pdf
Games For Adolescent Reproductive Health. www.path.org
Zan, B., Hildebrandt, C. (2005). Cooperative and
Competitive Games in Constructivist Classrooms.
www.odu.edu/educ/act/journal/vol16no1/zan.pdf
Chapter 16, Some Thoughts About Competition.
www.calstatela.edu/faculty/jshindl.cm/competition.htm