Gaming natural selection: Using board games as simulations to teach evolution

Muell, Morgan R.; Guillory, Wilson X.; Kellerman, Allison; Rubio, Andrew O.; Scott‐Elliston, Ayana; Morales, Omar; Eckhoff, Kathryn D.; Barfknecht, David F.; Hartsock, Jeremy A.; Weber, Joseph T.; Brown, Jason L.

doi:10.1111/evo.13924

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 11 publications

(14 reference statements)

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“…The creativity of the experimental class is also higher than the creativity of the control class. The results of this research are consistent with research by Muell et al (2020), which suggests that board games turn students into active participants rather than passive consumers of information; this active involvement has a positive impact on learning and absorption.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

The Effects of MANSA Historical Board Game toward the Students’ Creativity and Learning Outcomes on Historical Subjects

Kesuma¹,

Harun²,

Putranta³

et al. 2020

EUROPEAN J ED RES

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The constraints of history learning in the Indonesia curriculum are the weekly time is only one hour of lessons and the material is quite dense, if delivered with an explanation and discussion the time is not enough. Therefore, it was sought how to get all material delivered and students not bored. Learning this model is done to condition students as a center of learning, increase creativity and learning outcomes, the project undertaken is called the MANSA Historical board game (MANSA is taken from the abbreviation of our school name). In this case, students are asked to create, design their own board game on a different topic for each group. This study aims to determine the differences in learning outcomes and creativity between the control class and the experimental class of students at senior high schools in Salatiga, Indonesia. The research model used is quasi-experimental. The respondents of the research were 35 students in the experimental class and 35 students in the control class, who had the same homogeneity in creativity and learning outcomes. The results showed that the MANSA Historical board game had a significant effect on creativity and student learning outcomes. It is proven that creativity and student-learning outcomes can be increased. As shown by the mean different test results, there was a difference in the creativity of 0.593 and a learning outcome of 4.224 between the control class and the experimental class before and after treatment. The results showed a difference in learning outcomes between the control class and the experimental class. The average learning outcomes of the experimental class are higher than the average learning outcomes of the control class, as well as student creativity.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

The Effects of MANSA Historical Board Game toward the Students’ Creativity and Learning Outcomes on Historical Subjects

Kesuma¹,

Harun²,

Putranta³

et al. 2020

EUROPEAN J ED RES

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show abstract

“…One such teaching approach to be considered is referred to as board game-based education (van Roy and Zaman, 2018). Board game-based education in the context of natural science education, allows the educator to teach relevant topics associated with the subject syllabus of natural science through engaging learners in interactive learning materials such as educational science board games (Muell et al, 2020;Huizenga et al, 2017).…”

Section: Discussion Of Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This approach allows learners to engage in a playful yet meaningful science learning experience. A board game-based teaching approach is in contrast with more conventional teaching approaches such as direct teaching (Majuri et al, 2018;Muell et. al., 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pre-Service Teachers’ Experiences on the Development of Educational Science Board Games

Botes

2022

European Journal of STEM Education

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The expectation is that pre-service teachers that are specializing in the teaching of primary school natural science, ought to make use of teaching approaches that will allow them to engage learners in a joyful yet meaningful science learning experience. One such teaching approach to be considered is regarded as board game-based teaching. This paper investigated how natural science pre-service teachers experienced the development of educational science board games. This study draws on a conceptual understanding of gamebased education, which allows for the integration of topics within board game mechanics, board game aesthetics and board game thinking. This qualitative case study considered a focus-group discussion and photo-voice methodology as data collection techniques to capture the pre-service teachers' experiences on the development of educational science board games. Findings from the study revealed how their engagement in the development of educational science board games had an impact on their personal skill development, their professional teacher development, their development of pedagogical content knowledge, as well as their development of applicable assessment methodology that relates to the teaching of the subject natural science. On the other hand, issues surrounding the learning objectives, the complex design processes, and the lack of relevant materials available to develop the educational science board games were viewed in a less positive light. Findings from the study suggest that science teacher education programmes should be intentional in shaping pre-service teachers' skills to develop educational board games that would complement the quality of their science teaching practice.

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“…At the other end of the academic spectrum, playing games is the most frequent learning activity in Elementary and Primary Education [28]. Among the many different subjects taught with board games [44] are architecture [45], astronomy [18,46], biochemistry [47], chemistry [35], ecology [48], electronical engineering [49], environmental sciences [50], healthcare sciences [29,51,52], palaeontology [53], pharmacy [54], chemical engineering [55], and engineering [56].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘The Game of the Sea’: An Interdisciplinary Educational Board Game on the Marine Environment and Ocean Awareness for Primary and Secondary Students

Arboleya-García

Miralles

2022

Education Sciences

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Games are a proven tool for learning at all ages and in many contexts. They increase the attractiveness of learning processes through arousing interest and enhancing motivation, and aid with the development of social skills. Educational games provide teachers with different approaches to teaching. ‘The Game of the Sea’ is an interdisciplinary board game, specifically designed to teach its players about the marine environment, regardless of their age. Through its 68 sections, coloured according to particular topics and organised as a fish shape, players encounter a wide range of questions and activities. Through playing this game, players acquire a broad knowledge of science, the marine environment and its importance, and literature. The game uses an interdisciplinary approach with question cards on a variety of topics (including maths, physics, biology, chemistry, art, etc.). A total of 222 players (111 children, aged 11–15, and 111 adults, aged 18–72) tested the game. These players were enrolled in different formal and non-formal educational contexts and had different educational backgrounds. For a qualitative analysis of game sessions (participant observation), researchers acted as game moderators and, while doing so, made subtle observations of players playing the game. On top of this, the value of the game, as a didactic tool, was evaluated with a test that players took before and after the game. After playing the game, knowledge of the marine environment, increased in both children and adults, with a slightly higher increase in children. Therefore, ‘The Game of the Sea’ is suitable for teaching all ages about the marine environment. Further, this game can impart to its players the importance of the marine environment and the importance of protecting this environment.

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Gaming natural selection: Using board games as simulations to teach evolution

Cited by 4 publications

References 11 publications

The Effects of MANSA Historical Board Game toward the Students’ Creativity and Learning Outcomes on Historical Subjects

The Effects of MANSA Historical Board Game toward the Students’ Creativity and Learning Outcomes on Historical Subjects

Pre-Service Teachers’ Experiences on the Development of Educational Science Board Games

‘The Game of the Sea’: An Interdisciplinary Educational Board Game on the Marine Environment and Ocean Awareness for Primary and Secondary Students

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