Introduction
Welcome to the “Power of the Games” module of the in-service teacher training course, “From the Elementary Classroom to Future Wellbeing: Skills for Tomorrow for the Children of Today”. This module is about the capacity of traditional games (social, indoor, and outdoor) to develop transversal skills.
If we were to summarise its message in one sentence, it would be:
- be familiar with a lot of games and know which skills they can develop,
- let children play the game for fun (and not on direct purpose),
- let them choose freely from the games while being aware of what skills you would like to develop,
- sit among them and play too, because your behaviour demonstrates the skills you want to develop.
What to Expect
We hope that you enjoyed the first module of the training and got familiar with the 10 transversal skills what we strongly beleive that the today’s primary school children need in 15 years in order to maintain emotional and social wellbeing. Like the first training module, focusing on the 10 skills, this one is also designed in a blended way, and includes both face-to-face workshops and online self-learning materials and activities.
Once you have read this introductory chapter and are familiar with both the purpose of this module and the knowledge we want to you to learn, we kindly ask you to complete the read/do/watch components in the “Before the workshop” section. These materials will prepare you to actively participate in the face-to-face workshop, and to get the most benefits for yourself.
We ask you to complete the following activities before the workshop:
- Read the “Power of the game” document in the READ section and then compare your own practice with the information described in it;
- Review some game scenarios on the SPIRIT portal. If you think so and have time, play with it.
During the workshop, you will work in small groups with the other participants and share your ideas in plenary sessions. All participants will be expected to actively contribute to the workshop by carrying out the tasks.
After the workshop, you will also be asked to do some individual activities, such as choose a game and try it out with the children in your class.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the module, you will be able to:
- Understand that games are perfect for developing transversal skills and that they develop transversal skills in a complex way (not just one skill).
- Be aware that changing the rules and conditions of the game (classroom/environment) creates opportunities to develop different skills/in different ways/different level.
- Understand the power of play
- Understand the differences between games and game-based learning.
- Understand the importance of involving yourself in play and playing with children for developing transversal skills.
- Be able to match games to skills and vice versa.
- Understand the logic of the template and be able to use it effectively.
- Apply the games in the toolbox in line the needsof the children.
Before the workshop
Workshop activities
After the workshop
Read – nem
Do 1 – játszon egyet otthon
Do 2 Game CoP
Watch
Additional OER
Have a good learning journey and have fun discovering this really fascinating topic