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February 25
Math Games
by  Justin.TompkinsNo presence information  on 2/25/2014 1:36 PM

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We all know that children enjoy playing games. Experience tells us that games can be very productive learning activities. But what educational benefits are there to be gained from games?

 

Benefits of Using Games
 
The advantages of using games in a mathematical program have been summarized in an article by Davies (1995) who researched the literature available at the time.

 

·         Meaningful situations - for the application of mathematical skills are created by games
·         Motivation - children freely choose to participate and enjoy playing

 

·         Positive attitude - Games provide opportunities for building self-concept and developing positive attitudes towards mathematics, through reducing the fear of failure and error;
·         Increased learning - in comparison to more formal activities, greater learning can occur through games due to the increased interaction between children, opportunities to test intuitive ideas and problem solving strategies
·         Different levels - Games can allow children to operate at different levels of thinking and to learn from each other. In a group of children playing a game, one child might be encountering a concept for the first time, another may be developing his/her understanding of the concept, a third consolidating previously learned concepts
·         Assessment - children's thinking often becomes apparent through the actions and decisions they make during a game, so the teacher has the opportunity to carry out diagnosis and assessment of learning in a non-threatening situation
·         Home and school - Games provide 'hands-on' interactive tasks for both school and home
·         Independence - Children can work independently of the teacher. The rules of the game and the children's motivation usually keep them on task.
 
Websites for Math Games
 
References
Davies, B. (1995). The role of games in mathematics. Square One . Vol.5. No. 2

 

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