Creating educational games in
Notebook Software and PowerPoint
Presented by Laura Bogush
www.SmarterTechTeaching.com
Games
with a purpose
are useful tools
for instruction.
Ten of the Very Best Reasons
for Using Classroom Games
(and justifying their use
in your organization)
From the website
The Game Group
http://www.thegamegroup.com/article1.htm
Reason # 1
Games are Fun
with a Purpose
Reason # 2
Games Provide Feedback
to the Learner
Reason # 3
Games Provide Feedback
to the Trainer
Reason # 4
Games are Experiential
Reason # 5
Games Motivate Learners
Reason # 6
Games Improve Team Work
Reason # 7
Games Provide
a Less Threatening
Learning Environment
Reason # 8
Games Bring
Real-World Relevance
Reason # 9
Games Accelerate Learning
Reason # 10
Games Give You Choices
for Your Classroom
•Vary the level of learner involvement
•Vary the level of skill level and knowledge
•Customize to any size of audience, even one-on-one
•Vary the type and level of activity
•Vary the level of classroom control
•Introduce or review topics, or both
•Vary the mix of theoretical and practical information
Using Games to Enhance
Student Achievement
By Robert Marzano
Educational Leadership, vol 67, #5, pgs. 71-72
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educationalleadership/feb10/vol67/num05/Using-Games-to-EnhanceStudent-Achievement.aspx
Games are a regular part of
students’ lives at all ages.
Most teachers don’t regularly
use games in the classroom.
Teachers who do use games may
not be using them to potential.
Marzano examined the use of games
in the classroom for 5 years.
He was involved in more than 60
studies conducted by teachers on
the effects of games on student
achievement.
On average, using academic
games in the classroom = 20
percentile point gain
in student achievement!
Teachers can adapt a variety of
games to suit academic content.
Games used in Marzano’s studies
were from popular TV game shows
Research showed that how
teachers use games makes a
difference in achievment.
In classrooms with
the greatest gains,
teachers did specific things.
Use inconsequential
competition
Students like to compete as long
as the stakes aren’t high.
Target essential
academic content
Games not focused on content will
have little effect on achievement.
Helpful to organize games around
important terms and phrases.
Debrief the game
AvoidWhich
just adding
up the
points
questions
were
and moving
on
difficult
to answer?
Stimulate analysis of important
terms and phrases
Have students
revise their notes
After game has ended and class
has discussed difficult terms and
concepts, encourage students to
look over notes and add new
information or make corrections.
In summary Marzano says . . .
Games are a powerful and
useful instructional tool.
Games help address even the
most difficult content in a
lighthearted, engaging way.
Games can have a significant
effect on student achievement
when used purposefully.
Tips for game delivery
Click above to watch video on youtube
Plan for Game Delivery
• Whole class, groups, or partners
• Organizing teams and groups
• Who facilitates the game?
• Read the questions? Timed or not?
• Take turns to answer or whole group?
• Prizes? Grades?