SGC Learning Lab Uses Games to Teach, Learn
SGC Lab Manager José Resendez thanks HEB’s Shawn Marr for donating to his lab. The Store is SGC’s “neighbor”, just across the street from the Metro Train Station.
Gaming. Teaching. Learning.
These concepts share similar qualities, including innovation that focuses students on becoming successful; limitations that constantly force creativity and critical thinking; and clear, effective communication to ensure concepts and ideas spark new ways of approaching and solving problems.
Recently, the tutors in the San Gabriel Campus (SGC) Learning Lab began brainstorming and tossing ideas around about how to get more students to visit the Lab. One way that bubbled to the surface was the idea of Game-Based Learning (GBL): playing games to facilitate learning.
“The tutors that work in this lab came up with great ideas,” Learning Lab Manager Jose Resendez said. “They approached me with the idea of incorporating games and activities that reinforce critical thinking, learning and teaching that happens here.”.
One tutor, Travis Mann, thought that approaching HEB – Leander might be an avenue to getting various games donated. Travis, an adjunct in the Business, Government, and Technical Communications department, wrote a proposal to HEB to get them to help. The grocery store, less than a 1/2 mile from the campus, generously donated $70 worth of games to SGC’s Learning Lab.
But it’s not all fun and frivolity.
Research demonstrates that GBL increases critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration
“We wanted to see if we can incorporate games within the learning moments that happen here in our lab,” Jose said.
“For instance,” Jose continues, “when tutors and students play Jenga, students will use probability and estimation to choose when the stack will fall. When they play dominoes, students have to train themselves to critically assess the situation and create great plays to win.”
Other games that will be incorporated into a learning/teaching moment include:
- Chess to teach vocabulary and strategy.
- Dominoes to teach addition, subtraction, and multiplication
- Uno to teach strategy and competition
- Pictionary to teach nonverbal communication skills.
Although they are not sure of the outcome, the tutors and staff at the SGC are willing to try new and innovative things to get students in the door.
“Even though we’re the newest Learning Lab at ACC, we plan to grow and expand quickly to meet the needs of students who come to our lab seeking help,” Jose explained.
Thanks to Travis Mann for this post! If you’d like more information about this initiative, contact José, SGC lab manager.
What a great idea! And how wonderful to incorporate the “community”!