Games are excellent vehicles for learners to demonstrate the following skills and abilities, all within the friendly and competitive game environment:
• Understanding of the concepts of rules, cooperative play, and winning and losing.
• Understanding of the classroom material.
• Application of concepts and principles found in the classroom material.
• Problem solving and strategizing.
PLAYING TIME
Time of play is always a critical issue. Game play represents only part of the total classroom time required. The total learning experience is a three-part process of setup, game play, and closure.
• Setup time: approximately 20 percent of total. During this time, you establish the game environment by preparing the room, distributing game materials, dividing learners into teams, and reviewing the rules of play.
• Game playing time: approximately 60 percent of total. This is the actual playing of the game, including the start and stop of game play, clarifying questions about rules or content, validation and elaboration of correct responses, and declaring winners.
Closure time: approximately 20 percent of total. This portion of the time is for processing game content and player conduct. During this time the teacher brings the class “back to the classroom” and revisits the learning concepts covered during game play.
Teachers must plan for a total learning experience, considering several factors including the complexity of the topic, time required for setup and closure, time of day, and even the attention span of the participants. Because of these factors, all the games in this book are designed to be played in fifty minutes or less. Of course, if you find that a game generates a highly motivating environment, you may extend the time of play by conducting additional rounds or adding supplemental questions or tasks.
THE WHOLE COURSE GAME
When a particular game proves both popular and effective, consider reusing it as appropriate throughout the entire school semester or year. This whole course technique allows you to reintroduce a game experience that is familiar to both student and teacher. Advantages of a whole course game are ;
• Immediate acceptance of a game format that has already proven successful in reinforcing learning or behavior outcomes.
• Familiarity with the rules and roles involved in game play.
• Immediate focus on content in the form of game questions and situations.
• Readily available game accessories from previous play and easier setup for game play.
• Ease of updating to match your current curriculum requirements.
Read More : Learning Outcomes With Game Teaching Approach
