Why do we enjoy games?
That's the question we asked a group of educators at the North Carolina Technology in Education Society (NCTIES) Conference today. Their answers created this word web using Mentimeter.
We discovered that we (humans) enjoy games because they are fun! They are challenging, collaborative, and challenging. Games are engaging and often personalized. We know our goal and how success is measured.
Question this: What would happen if we replaced the word "games" with learning?
Isn't learning supposed to be fun? Challenging? Engaging? Collaborative?
According to The Education Arcade at MIT, gamers regularly exhibit characteristics such as persistence, risk-taking, attention to detail, and problem-solving. Aren't those the very same qualities we want our students to possess? Wouldn't creating learning experiences with those characteristics engage them and foster those qualities?
Question further: What would happen if we replaced the word "games" with professional development?
Aren't adults "learners" too? Shouldn't we want those characteristics? Are we problem-solvers and risk-takers in our classrooms? So often, PD becomes teachers sitting while someone stands and gives information. Many times, we see people teaching teachers all about collaboration while they work individually. We've seen PD on student-centered classrooms with a leader standing up front and using slides. We believe we should remember that we are all learners. We all need to experience failure, take risks, and have personalized experiences.
Engage with us!
Isn't PD learning? Let us know what you think by tweeting below using #questionED.
Want our resources from NCTIES?
Access our page from the session at bit.ly/rethinkpd16