Serious Gaming
In elementary music we play games all the time. These games are not online, but games we play while singing a song we learned and we move around the room to keep students active while we learn. My students are use to playing games in class, so I think incorporating online games would be an easy switch to make.
Gamification is a term that I am hearing more often. Teachers are trying to use more games in their classroom to help motivate students. The article Gamification: Using game like elements to redesign our classrooms says gamification does not have to mean playing online games in the classroom, but it is "changing the atmosphere of the classroom to make it more game-like." Having a game-like atmosphere in the classroom can help students to become more motivated and can promote persistence, collaboration, and creativity.
Using games in the classroom and creating a game-like atmosphere can have a great effect on students. A survey I found interesting was done in 2013 by VeraQuest and surveyed teachers about technology use in their classroom. 55% of teachers said using games helped motivate low performing and special education students. For teachers who have tried everything to reach those students who don't seem to want to learn and are not motivated by anything, why not try games and see if games can be successful? I can think of a few students at my school who would greatly benefit from using games in the classroom and would be very motivated to continue learning.
Several articles talk about using avatars online in games to create social stories or encourage students to work together with peers. In my classroom I am not sure I would have time to have classes create avatars to use. I only see students for 30 minutes at a time, and it seems like that would take aways too much time from my content. Instead of using simulations in my classroom, I see myself using more of the achievement model approach.
One website I love to use in my classroom is Classics for Kids. This website has games students can use to review rhythms and learn notes on the staff. Using these games allows students to work at their own pace and go back and review or try a game again if they are still struggling. There are different levels in some of the games for students who are excelling to move on to a harder level. This website is free and allows students to learn and review standards in music they need to know in order to play instruments.
Other resources I have found and would like to try are New York Philharmonic KidZone and Learning Games for Kids. Both of these are free websites with interactive games dealing with music. I think these would be great resources to use for students who are struggling and need some motivation to keep going and they will be able to move at their own pace. One thing I need to be cautious about when selecting online games to use is time efficiency. I need games that are easy to start so students do not have to spend a ton of time setting something up or getting ready to play. It would be ideal to have games that do not require a login or picking characters or anything that will take away time from the actual game and learning.
Adding online games to my classroom will help to create a game-like atmosphere where students feel motivated to learn. I will continue to use music games that go along with songs we are singing, but I think using online games as well will help all students to be engaged and excited about music!
Resources:
Marks, J. (2013, February 20). Gamification: Using game-like elements to redesign our classrooms. Retrieved July 1, 2018, from http://rethinked.org/?p+3369
Teachers Surveyed on Using Digital Games in Class. (n.d.). Retrieved July 1, 2018, from http://www.gamesandlearning.org/2014/06/09/teachers-on-using-games-in-class/
Gamification is a term that I am hearing more often. Teachers are trying to use more games in their classroom to help motivate students. The article Gamification: Using game like elements to redesign our classrooms says gamification does not have to mean playing online games in the classroom, but it is "changing the atmosphere of the classroom to make it more game-like." Having a game-like atmosphere in the classroom can help students to become more motivated and can promote persistence, collaboration, and creativity.
Using games in the classroom and creating a game-like atmosphere can have a great effect on students. A survey I found interesting was done in 2013 by VeraQuest and surveyed teachers about technology use in their classroom. 55% of teachers said using games helped motivate low performing and special education students. For teachers who have tried everything to reach those students who don't seem to want to learn and are not motivated by anything, why not try games and see if games can be successful? I can think of a few students at my school who would greatly benefit from using games in the classroom and would be very motivated to continue learning.
Several articles talk about using avatars online in games to create social stories or encourage students to work together with peers. In my classroom I am not sure I would have time to have classes create avatars to use. I only see students for 30 minutes at a time, and it seems like that would take aways too much time from my content. Instead of using simulations in my classroom, I see myself using more of the achievement model approach.
One website I love to use in my classroom is Classics for Kids. This website has games students can use to review rhythms and learn notes on the staff. Using these games allows students to work at their own pace and go back and review or try a game again if they are still struggling. There are different levels in some of the games for students who are excelling to move on to a harder level. This website is free and allows students to learn and review standards in music they need to know in order to play instruments.
Other resources I have found and would like to try are New York Philharmonic KidZone and Learning Games for Kids. Both of these are free websites with interactive games dealing with music. I think these would be great resources to use for students who are struggling and need some motivation to keep going and they will be able to move at their own pace. One thing I need to be cautious about when selecting online games to use is time efficiency. I need games that are easy to start so students do not have to spend a ton of time setting something up or getting ready to play. It would be ideal to have games that do not require a login or picking characters or anything that will take away time from the actual game and learning.
Adding online games to my classroom will help to create a game-like atmosphere where students feel motivated to learn. I will continue to use music games that go along with songs we are singing, but I think using online games as well will help all students to be engaged and excited about music!
Resources:
Marks, J. (2013, February 20). Gamification: Using game-like elements to redesign our classrooms. Retrieved July 1, 2018, from http://rethinked.org/?p+3369
Teachers Surveyed on Using Digital Games in Class. (n.d.). Retrieved July 1, 2018, from http://www.gamesandlearning.org/2014/06/09/teachers-on-using-games-in-class/
It's really interesting how you are including gamification into your music class! I wondered if it would be difficult to find ones that help with singing and music, but it sounds like you have a balanced version of everything. I like how your music classroom has a game-like atmosphere. Sounds so fun!
ReplyDeleteMelissa-
ReplyDeleteI have always wondered what other specials teacher use or if they do use games to increase student learning and motivation, and it sounds like you have a good grasp on using games! For those students who may not be interested in music, this would be a great way for them to get involved and stay excited about something they might dislike. You are short on time as you said, so finding good games might be a challenge. Good luck!
Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI really liked your quote from the Gamification article about having a game-like atmosphere in the classroom to help motivate students and promote persistence, collaboration and creativity. I wholeheartedly agree with that! It looks like you are already using and finding great resources to help your students learn. I enjoyed reading your post!
The comment that gamification is about having a game-like atmosphere really sparked my curiosity. What does that even mean? So, I found a great article that gives your classroom a game-like feel which does not involve playing games. The article is linked in my blog. I appreciate your insight and research of what you posted! I imagine creating that type of atmosphere would be hard in a 30 minute period, however it seems like you are approaching the challenge with excellence! Keep it up!
ReplyDelete