Games and learning

Board games are ways where individuals can have fun, but also learn. Good board games can build learning skills and can encourage players to detect patterns, learn from experience and plan ahead. Educause (2014) state how the interactive dynamic of games have the ability to advance teaching and learning.

Robinson (2006) explains how every individual has the capacity to be creative. Last week in tutorial classes, working in groups, we were able to physically plan and construct our virtual board game, demonstrating truth to this statement. The game was called Bloody Murder on Orient Express, which had multiple rules in order to participate successfully. The objective of the game was to stimulate problem solving skills, involving the action of elimination, critical guessing and examining with other players.The game was inspired by the existing game ‘Cluedo’, where members are required to determine who murdered the president.

If we were able to further develop the game, “what aspects of learning would you like to be evident?” 

This feature would be a digital ‘narrating’ screen, which navigates players through the board game, similar to the console game ‘Uncharted’. This feature would keep members on track with the game and provide a new dimension. The screen would be digital, with a range of settings one could control. Individuals are able to interact with a speaking narrator which can provide clue and encouragement. 

If we had more time to complete the board game, I would have liked to include a ‘trivia’ aspect, which further promotes learning and develops strategic skills. The game would feature a collection of cards called “Chance“, where players would be required to answer questions about 20th Century history and politics. If players would guess correctly, they would win a “Weapon” card, whereas if they lost, the narrator would teach them the correct answer and it would be the next players turn. This concept of trial and guessing reflects Educauses’, (2014) statement, reinforcing that game mechanics reinforce failure being “neither a setback nor an outcome but rather an indication that more work is needed to master the skill or knowledge.” The narrator would encourage and motivate players regardless of whether they’re winning or losing.

 

References:

Educause. (2014). 7 Things You Should Know About  Games and Learning. 2014(October). Retrieved from http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-games-and-learning

Youtubecom. (2016). YouTube- Do schools kill creativity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY