Homework Replaced By Educational Games to Boost Performance
In the dark ages information on a child’s school learning progress comprised of end of term or year reports. This historic document has several drawbacks. It was out of date by the time it was published; revealing that “John and Jane†could have done with some extra help a year ago; relied on parents understanding the content and the teacher being specific in the actions suggested – all in the one paragraph summary.
Any dynamics to enlist parental support in the schooling process were inevitably lost. At best the report was signed but the fantastic opportunity for parents to help child, teacher and school are largely untapped. But the advent of technology has introduced a new dimension, and if used effectively could boost academic achievement significantly.
Research in the UK and USA shows that 80 per cent of a child’s achievement in school relies on the support given at home. Yet this fundamental issue is the hardest to manage. Reports that are inevitably out of date; parents often unaware they can effectively help and teachers who despair at the low number of parents who currently get actively involved. Open nights attract the faithful, whilst pressure at work and home impact on parents free time.
Perceptions over changes in teaching techniques, often cited as the central reason parents avoid a hands on approach leave parents reluctant to interfere. Whilst government initiatives and surveys among teachers show unanimous support of parental involvement we still fail to grasp the opportunity. But the schooling process has embraced technology that can be used to change all this, for the better.
Modern teaching methods have certainly changed. Replacing the blackboard, chalk and text books are a raft of educational games that have equal if not greater relevance in the home. Turning learning into fun through educational games involving the family induces practice in the lesson content – and the concept of learning in disguise. Conventional homework is principally a means of getting a child to practice the lesson. The busy classroom environment with the 30:1 pupil teacher ratio leaves precious time to put the lesson theory into practice. Thirty minutes of fun at home provides enjoyment, practice, and dynamic involvement. If a child is struggling it becomes immediately apparent to a parent who can seek advise from the teacher.
The next generation of computer video games have high potential for educational content. Microsoft and the big boys are investing heavily in this activity. Moreover such games can be linked on-line back to the school. Progress can be monitored by the teacher; lost homework possibly a thing of the past, although the ingenuity of children will quickly invent new reasons for forgetting the task. Crucial to to gain support of this activity ; it has to be kept simple. There is little benefit of the IT function demonstrating its prowess through complicated comprehensive and elaborate reports that scare the bejabers of the users.
Work started in class as educational games which can be continued at home holds huge opportunity. Board games, bingo, dice and computer games can now be played in a fun and relaxed environment at home. Parental angst over conventional homework turned into a positive hands -on role and support which can make the world of difference.
Alistair Owens keen2learn =>
http://www.keen2learn.co.uk/news
