Interactive+Games

**Interactive Games**

Children love to play games and when you mix games with learning the experience is almost always pleasant. The only problem though would be implementing a game into the curriculum. It has many advantages; for example, keeping the kids entertained, learning and playing at the same time, it's easier to keep the children focused. The problem would be the gap between how much teachers play compared to how much children play. Although many teachers are interested in learning more about implementing interactive games into their curriculum, many teachers don't know what is appropriate.

**Key Research Findings**

-A generational divide in game play is still evident, with 72% of teachers not playing games for leisure, compared with 82% of students playing games outside lessons at least once a fortnight. Boys were more likely than girls to play games for leisure.

 - Teachers and students have similar perceptions about the advantages and disadvantages of using games. Both groups believe that games play improves computer skills and general problem solving abilities.

-The main barriers perceived by teachers to the use of games are not those of the curriculum or of assessment, but the technical issues that may need to be overcome. (Allen)

**-**Using games in a meaningful way within lessons depends far more on the effective use of existing teaching skills than it did on the development of any new, game-related skills. Teachers were required to take a central role in scaffolding and supporting students' learning through the games.(Allen)

-An average of 62% of students say that they would like to use computer games in the classroom; 89% of these (approximately 55% overall) think it would make lessons more interesting. Younger students were most likely to want to use computer games in school: 66% of 11 year-olds compared to 49% of 15-16 year-olds. (Wastiau, Kearney, & Van den Berghe, 2009)

-55% of teachers would like to know more about interactive games. (Wastiau, Kearney, & Van den Berghe, 2009

**Implementation**

-Using the correct game that helps the curriculum.

-Be able to organize your lessons and classroom when using the games.

-Make sure the teacher has the correct skills needed to comfortable to suceed with these tools.

-Use resources you found useful to help you.

-Determine whether the kids will use the games.(Home, Classroom, lab, etc..)

-Determine how you would handle behavioral issues

(CLICK HERE for a list of interactive games.) media type="gabbly" key="http%3A%2F%2Feme2040instructionalstrategies.wikispaces.com%2FInteractive%20Games" width="300" height="250"