Get Your Students Hired
In order to keep learning fun, I think you must learn to engage your students in the process
Mary,
So true. I use games a lot in my classes as well and they really help my students to review and reinforce what they have learned.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have enjoyed playing games in the classroom. Students would be laughing and not even be aware that they were learning valuable information.
Hi Walter,
I am sure bringing in information and current cases like you mention raises many questions and creates lively discussions in your class. Good way to help your students see application of what they are learning.
Gary
I agree. I bring in real-world examples that tie in to the lessons presented in class. For example, we've discussed recent well-known criminal trials in the Criminal Law class. It shows the students how the topics discuused in class work in reality. It really gets the students engaged and interested.
Hi Maureen,
Students really like the personal experience stories don't they? This helps to create a stronger connection between the content and their futures because you are showing them relevancy by your examples.
Gary
I have found that adding additional videos/slides, along with stories about "personal" experiences help also.
Hi Susan,
Good caution for us all to remember. There needs to be a purpose to the games that are used in the class and we need to make sure we have shared that purpose clearly with our students. This will set the stage for the games and they will be seen as learning opportunities rather than just a way to kill class time.
Gary
I love playing games myself, so I understand how much fun they can bring into the classroom. However your point about being sure that the students come away with more than being "top dog" must be part of the process. All games that I have used are presented as a means of reviewing for an examination.
Hi Guillermo,
You make a good point about how students perceive games in the classroom. The focus needs to be on the content and by approaching it as you are you are keeping the focus where it needs to be. My students love it when they have challenges and groups compete against each other but as you say in using this I have to always keep the focus on acquiring and using the content.
Gary
In my class i noticed that games do not work all the well. Student get more into the game then into subject we are on. One of the ways to make learning fun is to apply what the students have learn by applying a skill, more so if you make it into a type of challenge. In a way it is playing, but if I label it as a game the student only take it as a game and not a learning experience.
I agree too. We play games in my classes as well. Plus we spend a lot of time on our laptops researching the topic of the day. I also try to get the students talking....when they talk more and participate the class is more fun and interactive.
I agree with this statement, I play games with my students as well as allow them to teach each other with their different learning styles.