Europe is a hotbed for Game-Based Learning (GBL). Not only is the continent home to some of the leading innovators in educational video games, but European Union leaders have offered critical support, for the use of innovative teaching techniques in classrooms across the continent, including video games.
The second webinar in our game-based learning validation study series recently aired, giving teachers a platform to share their insights from implementing our art history game, ARTé: Mecenas™, into their classrooms. The study followed classes in Norway, Poland, Portugal, Italy and Greece and was designed to empower participating teachers to consider new trends in learning models and investigate innovative technologies, all without losing site of learning outcomes.
Summer reading lists aren’t just an ideal way to keep students’ minds active over the extended break, they also give us as educators a great opportunity to dive into some must reads. In my last blog post, I shared some fantastic books for getting started in game-based learning, including trends, considerations and research.
Instructors Applaud Games for Attracting Students’ Attention, Increasing Confidence, Exercising Imaginations and Improving Performance
It is said that most students lose about two months of grade level equivalency in reading and mathematical computation skills over the summer months, according to Think Stretch. Harvard Graduate School of Education says it’s even higher when it comes to math, reporting on average students lose approximately 2.6 months of learning in math over the summer — and teachers have to give up weeks of class time, or more, to make up for that loss.
The long-anticipated wait for the results of a year-long game-based learning validation study is finally over, and the findings reveal that calculus game Variant: Limits™ had a positive impact on student engagement, motivation and knowledge acquisition. Teachers from Norway, Poland, Portugal, Italy and Greece recently shared their feedback and observations during a webinar, hosted by European Schoolnet.
The case for integrating game-based learning into school curriculum is not new. Over the last 30 years, there has been an immense amount of research demonstrating the benefits of educational games. Here are a few studies that have uncovered a variety of advantages associated with using games to improve student performance and achievement.
It’s that time of year again, that time when school is winding down and we post summer reading lists so our students stay engaged while working, relaxing, traveling and doing all of the things that summer brings. But summer reading lists are just for students. Summer is the perfect time for us as educators to catch up on those must-reads too.
“Ideas Worth Spreading” – it is the theme of legendary TED talks heard around the world, and it is what inspired my recent game-based learning talk at the TEDx TAMU event, a local version that brought together innovators to discuss, share, explore and connect.
Partnership Fuels Growth and Popularity of Serious Games on a Global Scale