Promoting Active Learning Using

Games

Promoting Active Learning Using

Games

Deirdre BonnycastleClinical Teaching

Development Coordinator

Deirdre BonnycastleClinical Teaching

Development Coordinator

ObjectivesObjectives

Workshop participants will be able to

• discuss the rationale for using games in their classroom

• give examples of games that can be used effectively in medical education

• create one or more games using PowerPoint for a teaching session.

DefinitionsDefinitions

Simulation:• any structured experience

designed to reflect reality, real life and real situations (e.g. role play)

Game (Gaming):• a competitive activity with a

prescribed setting, constrained by rules and procedures

DefinitionsDefinitions

Simulation-game:

• A reality based game

Exercise:

• A structured, non-competitive, experiential activity

Elements of Games That TeachElements of Games That Teach

According to Thiagi (1998), well constructed

games share the following 5 characteristics:

1. Conflict

2. Control

3. Closure

4. Contrivance

5. Competency.http://www.thiagi.com/games.html

Games RationaleGames Rationale

Games RationaleGames Rationale

• foster active learning

• allow for interactivity

• promote collaboration, peer-learning and team work

• increase motivation

• aid skill development in a risk-free environment

Rationale (contd.)Rationale (contd.)

• serve as attention grabbers

• provide a change of pace and variety to the teaching experience

• support different learning styles

• can address cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains

CautionCaution

• ultimate worth: learning that emanates, benefits to learner and value of the information for practice

• danger of medium becomes more memorable than the message

• need to be well-designed, tested and evaluated

Caution (contd.)Caution (contd.)

• need for effective debriefing

• game may become a barrier to learning (for some individuals)

• group activities and the inherent problems with group process

Types of GamesTypes of Games

1. Creativity and Visualization

2. Decision Making

3. Learning

4. Review

5. Health Games

6. Social Impact

Creativity and Visualization ExampleCreativity and Visualization Example

http://illusioncontest.neuralcorrelate.com/2009/the-break-of-the-curveball/

Decision Making ExampleDecision Making Example

• Survival Scenarioshttp://wilderdom.com/games/descriptions/SurvivalScenarios.html

• Diagnostic Thinkinghttp://www.acdet.com/

• Quandaryhttp://www.halfbakedsoftware.com/quandary.php

Learning Games ExampleLearning Games Example

• Future Making Serious Gameshttp://elianealhadeff.blogspot.com/search/label/MedGames

• Surgery

http://www.atlus.com/trauma_center/

• Anne Meyer Health Clinic (Second Life)

http://ammc.wordpress.com/

Review Games ExamplesReview Games Examples

• Truth

• Snakes and Ladders

• Quizhttp://www.usask.ca/medicine/pathology-games/

• Crosswordshttp://justcrosswords.com/create_custom_crossword.html

Health GamesHealth Games

• Brain Games

http://brainpoweredgames.msu.edu/index.php

• Fitness Games

http://www.humanagames.com/

• Ben’s Game about Cancerhttp://www.makewish.org/site/pp.asp?c=bdJLITMAE&b=81931

Social Impact ExampleSocial Impact Example

• Hate Comes Home

http://www.willinteractive.com/home.htm

Task 1 Task 1

1. Insert the PowerPoint Games CD in your

computer

2. Open the Games Template Folder

3. Select quiz.tpl

4. Save As “mygame.ppt”

5. Follow the instructions on the handout.

Task 2Task 2

1. Select another template from the CD

2. Create a second game

Thank you!Thank you!

For more

Active Learning Resourceshttp://medicaleducation.wetpaint.com/page/Active+Engagement