Playing to Learn Math? (v2)

First Problem: http://xkcd.com/657 busynessgirl.com @busynessgirl what if LOTR was a course or a textbook? How DO children learn? they give it a try they push at boundaries The brain is ready to learn by filling in blanks We tend to LIKE something if we are able to "see" the patterns in it When this happens, we begin to "groove" in the patterns ... to seek them out and to expect them. conscious thought the brain functions at three levels of thinking making lists recalling facts mathematical assigning values a simulation or a formal system where choices and rules are important allows you to practice patterns and permutations of patterns "Fun from games arises out of mastery. It arises out of comprehension. It is the act of solving puzzles that makes games fun. In other words, with games, learning is the drug." - Raph Koster, A Theory of Fun "Boredom is the brain casting about for new information. It is the feeling you get when there are no new patterns to absorb." Flower Power Factortris http://bit.ly/9uhSJF http://www.funbrain.com/ Math Baseball http://www.mangahigh.com Question that game designers ask themselves ... - Dr. James Gee "How do I get somebody to learn something that is long and difficult and takes a lot of commitment, but get them to learn it well?" "the best instruction hovers at the boundary of a student's competence" - Andy diSessa, Cognitive Scientist [Video games] tend to encourage players to achieve total mastery of one level, only to challenge and undo that mastery in the next, forcing kids to adapt and evolve. - Dr. James Gee, University of Wisconsin Wired Magazine, 2003 -Rath Koster, A Theory of Fun Tombstone City Munchman http://www.flickr.com/photos/dinah/239650274/ 2 5 28 Think like a Babylonian [ !?*!? ] 75 12 59 60 35 61 Babylonian "Cheat Codes" http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/numbers/babylon/index.htm Revelation #4: I can still play the video games I played when I was a child. http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobfoldsfive/2596985632/ Sorry bobfoldsfive, I am using this image without permission because I can't seem to log in to Yahoo to ask for permission. Please don't be mad! http://www.flickr.com/photos/kkseema/2042946052 http://www.flickr.com/photos/seandreilinger/959010447 they try over and over and over http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwworks/3039389897 they seek patterns GAME Learning is not Linear. Third Problem: - Raph Koster, A Theory of Fun Fourth Problem: Second Problem: We give away the "cheat codes" for the game (learning) up front. the act of mentally mastering a problem fun some games just make games lame IBL is great, in theory, but ... time-consuming in reality. Designing and using activities where students learn new concepts by actively doing and reflecting on what they have done. The guiding principle is that instructors try not to talk in depth about a concept until students have had an opportunity to think about it first (Hastings, 2006). Inquiry-based Learning addition & subtraction of integers simplifying like terms 3x+4+2x-7 multiplication and division of integers solving one-step equations x+3=6 finding points that fit x+y=5 absolute value e.g. |-8| graph an inequality on a number line where do we want our students' brains to be? why did you go in to teaching? AHA moment = the brain having fun See if you can figure out Babylonian without the "cheat codes" On linear learning paths, students often get stuck because of one concept. autopilot reflexes running "scripts" a game is a delicate balance between boredom and frustration sorting and packaging associative integrative intuitive "common sense" Revelation #1: Technology is making "content" irrelevant. It's what you're able to do with the content that's important. Revelation #2: Revelation #3: My students, some of whom can't seem to learn algebra, CAN seem to learn complex video games that require logic, memorization, and teamwork, and strategy. We've been trying all sorts of untested strategies to improve student outcomes for decades, with little or no forward progress. children think learning is fun what is a ? PLAY what is ? illustrations by Mat Moore as adults, we perceive that play is "frivolous" and non- serious there are many definitions and descriptions and yet, children learn a remarkable amount before they ever enter formalized education "entrancing absorption" http://www.flickr.com/photos/seandreilinger/2187892869/sizes/o/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/wjarrettc/2135222193/sizes/l/ play involves a relaxed pace freedom to explore revelation #2 But, in education, we have taken "fun" out of learning. addition & subtraction of integers simplifying like terms 3x+4+2x-7 multiplication and division of integers solving one-step equations x+3=6 finding points that fit x+y=5 absolute value e.g. |-8| graph an inequality on a number line This is what we do in math (for the most part) learning ^ So ... what can we do? Line Gem NLVM Circle Game You don't have to "play" using a video game. Waker Shift the "exploration" to the students. Handy Tip Bloom's Taxonomy maria h andersen Not only can I still play this one, I can get to higher levels than I was able to as a child. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cmduke/3035453343/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/smiles_for_you/409382195/ from the time we are very young ... Surely, we can take advantage of this in adult learning though it may require us to stretch our minds a little If we're not careful, we're going to take ourselves out of learning too. Unfortunately, most formal education focuses on surface-level learning Bloom's Taxonomy (also boring) according to Pirates of the Carribean boring http://www.flickr.com/photos/zen/241745451/ this is what we could (theoretically) do in math one solution 4 in 5 young adults half of adults 1/4 of seniors http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2008/Adults-and-Video-Games.aspx who plays video games? *disclaimer some games are puzzles Final thoughts ... was it ... Let's put play and fun back into learning math. Maria H. Andersen @busynessgirl busynessgirl.com busynessgirl@gmail.com facebook.com/ibusynessgirl Illustrations by Mat Moore Math http://bit.ly/SXSSY Instructors Playing Math Create a "play-oriented" environment