In a dynamic learning environment, sometimes the most effective tool is analog …

18 oktober, 2015

Our school has been a 1-to-1 school for more than 7 years.  For us, ”being connected” and using all available resources is a natural part of learning.  However, on a recent walk-through, I was reminded that sometimes the most effective learning methods are analog.

Late last Friday afternoon, during the last 20 minutes of a History 1 course, students were starting to lag in energy.  In addition, they needed to review important concepts to prepare for a more challenging analysis assignment coming up.  Gabby found just the right mix of gamification and student engagement in an analog game.

Students played a version of ”Heads UP”.  In this game, one student holds a card with an important concept up to their forehead.  Then, the other student tries to explain the concept without using the exact word.  If the student holding the card can figure it out, they win a point.  If not, the card goes to the ”needs further review” pile.  And, the game continues.
Students play in pairs and switch partners every 5 – 7 minutes.

Benefits of this analog game include every student is actively engaged, students explain the concepts in their own words and students look each other in the eye.  Of course, there are digital ways to review concepts learned as well.  Gabby agrees that using a variety of methods is best to reach different kinds of learners.

Yet, on this late Friday afternoon, this game really worked.