Making Learning Fun
The school I teach at had the instructors play a Jeopardy like game to quiz us on our school knowledge.
I then took the idea into my classroom to utilize it as quiz preperation and review.
Student feedback was positive about the fun component helped them be more motivated and involved and helped them to retain the information longer.
Jennifer, thank you for sharing how you created and used flashcards effectively.
Michele Deck
Yes, I have used powerpoint type flash cards. They have worked well with class and they don't feel like it is a juvenille game. We have the question on one slide and then the class discusses the question before we flip to the answer slide. It is a great way to get the group to talk to eachother :)
Jennifer, yes it is important to personalize the class to the students. Is it possible you can do a few activities that are less game like with the class?
Michele Deck
I agree that when you use games or make learning fun in the classroom that it increase retention of knowledge. We have some older students in class as well and some of them do not like to play games. They have given feedback to me that they feel like its too juvenille. So, to me it depends on the personalities of students in the class of games work well or not.
I am a hugh Advocate of fun!! I think it is not used enough. If teacher would allow themselves to have fun the students would love to come to class and retain so much more information being taught.
Glad we both know use fun to teach :)
Ann, it is amazing to some that these reviews do increase student success.
Michele Deck
My students seem to do better on tests when we review with games the day before. They look forward to it, participation is about 100%. Learning through playing games is a way I retain information best myself.
Lovie, I like to ask the students to get involved with guessing activities as well as it makes them think.
Michele Deck
My Medical Terminology Classes learn better when there is "fun" in the classroom. We have played hangman, bingo, and guess the body part with clues. Students do better on exams with this type of learning style.
melissa , these two activities are very popular and engaging.
Michele Deck
Jeopardy has always worked in my class also the game hangman, I feel games such as these make learning fun for the students
Susan , thank you for sharing your application of these ideas to your clinical areas.
Michele Deck
William, I agree it is best to end the activity focusing on what they have learned, which is the purpose of the activity, it is not a waste of time.
Michele Deck
Joyce, getting learner attention can be a challenge some days.
Michele Deck
I try to involve all students in my clinical post conferences.I ask them asbout there patients and tell me us a little about why they asre there.I engage them
Jeopardy is a great idea. I also allow for a few bonus points to be given out to a team that wins. i mix up the teams so that no one is always on the "losing" side. I try to keep the atmosphere fun and provide other bonus opportunities so that no one is left out. Games are a terrific learning tool and sometimes the students don't even realize they are learning. They just see it as fun. It is important to highlight that learning periodically so they don't walk away thinking the class is "Mickey Mouse"
I agree. Games tend to capture their attention and they retain the information.
Suzie , I'm glad you adopted this method after seeing it used successfully with school information.
Michele Deck
