Stephanie, our Chief Learning Officer, has spent her career in classrooms using innovative methods to reach students on a daily basis. Here are some of her thoughts on why teachers might use Squixy as an additional learning tool in their classrooms, or recommend the platform for students to use and play with at home.
School. Learning. Homework. Studying.
What words come to mind when you think of these terms? If you’re like most people, school is commonly referred to as boring, repetitive, and mundane. Unfortunately, the use of worksheets, lectures, slide presentations, and other traditional practices are the reality inside many classrooms. Who doesn’t want to make learning more enjoyable? We’ve all been there…Sitting in a classroom, taking notes, listening to the teacher, and trying to make sense of what we’re learning. It’s not fun for the students, and no teacher wants to be in that position either. Learning should be a positive, rewarding experience!
The Benefit of Digital Math Games
Gregory Smith is a 5th grade teacher in Tampa, Florida who uses digital math games as part of his curriculum. “If you don’t like something, you’re definitely not going to do well in it. And if you don’t think you’re going to do well, you’re definitely not going to do well.” That’s the philosophy behind digital math games, whether they’re played online or through an app. Many educators and researchers say the games can help students both improve their math skills and enjoy math more. As long as these digital games are meaningful and motivating to children, they can have a real impact on learning, said Douglas Clements, a professor of early-childhood learning at the University of Denver, who has studied the effectiveness of digital math games. (edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/05/17/do-digital-games-improve-childrens-math-skills.html)
Consider what many kids do after school… use imaginative play? Build, create, and explore technology? What if students could bring these experiences into the classroom? Imagine the excitement and participation in the class! Mastering different skills, reinforcing new material, and increasing students’ confidence are just a few outcomes from edutaining kids. Squixy is a tool that could transform your classroom, and enhance your students’ learning experience.
What AR Education and Squixy Can Do
Squixy helps to unlock both sides of the brain with its presentation of mathematical concepts, imaginative design and problem solving attributes. It also allows teachers to foster their students’ varying learning styles through its activities and games. Squixy promotes different approaches to learning including visual, verbal, logical, auditory, and kinesthetic based experiences. “AR gives students a sense of embodiment letting them gain some real experience that they can remember afterward. This way a strong connection to previously obtained knowledge is being built on the daily basis… Students will retain more knowledge for a much longer period when it’s associated with some part-real experience. Any good teacher’s purpose is to make their lessons so interesting and entertaining that students would be excited about the learning process. And the digital era is, in fact, your best helper that will give you the opportunity to continuously stimulate students’ intellectual curiosity with augmented reality presented to them. (www.techwalls.com/benefits-augmented-reality-education/.)
Educators know how beneficial it is to address students’ strengths and preferred learning style and Squixy can help you achieve that goal; whether you’re teaching to the whole class, using a workshop model, or meeting with an individual student.
What it Can Look Like
Instead of watching papers pile up on your desk, waiting to be graded, what if a students’ formative assessment was a quick game that a student actually looked forward to? Interventions for lower achieving students or English learners could be more engaging, thought-provoking, and memorable with the addition of Squixy programs. Allowing students to use creativity to solve problems and think critically will produce happier students, memorable lessons, and boost student achievement. “Digital games allow students to take an active role in their learning and see the visual connection between the game play and the math. The games also provide constant positive or corrective feedback that is ‘really hard for teachers to provide to individual kids”, (edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/05/17/do-digital-games-improve-childrens-math-skills.html)
Receiving specified feedback is valuable to all learners, and students are more likely to “try harder” to pass a level when they know exactly which skills are required.
Are your students up for a challenge?
Incorporating classroom competitions and leaderboards is exciting! Earning a certificate, badge, or new Squixy item is worth sharing in class! Teachers can create teams, partners or host individual goals for their students.