9 July 2010
Games-based learning research by Scottish Academics to be published in renowned educational journal
A study by Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) and the University of Dundee into the benefits of games-based learning is set to be published in the British Journal of Educational Technology (BJET).
In 2008, LTS worked in partnership with the university to carry out a detailed analysis of the effect of Nintendo’s Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training on primary school pupils’ numeracy attainment.
The full report - 'Educational benefits of using games consoles in a primary classroom: a randomised controlled trial' - has been subject to a rigorous peer review process by international experts and has now been accepted for publication within the BJET.
The research concluded that a daily dose of the Nintendo DS game not only improved pupils’ attainment in computation, but also had beneficial consequences for their concentration levels, attendance and punctuality. More than 600 pupils and 32 schools across the country were involved in the project.
Derek Robertson, national adviser for emerging technologies and learning at LTS, said: 'Using relevant, purposeful and motivating contexts for learning is at the heart of Curriculum for Excellence. I’m delighted that our article on this study has been accepted into the BJET and this research suggests that the informed, focussed use of computer games can have a beneficial impact on learning. The study was held as a randomised control trial, meaning that its findings hold more credence than one that uses only handpicked schools.'
Dr David Miller, senior lecturer at the School of Education, Social Work and Community Education at the University of Dundee, said: "Although some positive messages had previously emerged from research on computer games in school, few studies had reported performance data - and none on this scale. Our findings show that schools are keen to harness the potential of games-based learning in this area and may do so with some confidence."
Note to editors:
- The summary report can be viewed here http://ltsblogs.org.uk/consolarium/files/2008/09/lts-dr-kawashima-trial-summary.pdf
- Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) is the national body responsible for reviewing the curriculum, developing assessment to support learning and providing advice to the education system on the use of ICT to support learning and teaching. We provide advice to Scottish Ministers on all matters related to learning and teaching, the curriculum, assessment and ICT. In addition, we manage the provision of the national ICT infrastructure to support education, Glow, the LTS Online Service and the local authority Interconnect. We work with partners to manage the effective provision of research and professional development. www.ltscotland.org.uk
- The University of Dundee is one of the UK's leading providers of education training and has an international reputation for excellence in research. With experienced and committed staff who have considerable field experience; world-class information and communication technology resources; together with a new purpose-built teaching facility that is second to none, the School of Education, Social Work and Community Education at Dundee offers an exciting and rewarding environment for undergraduate and postgraduate study and research. See www.dundee.ac.uk for further information.
For more information please contact:
Kirsten Blackie, Media relations officer
Learning and Teaching Scotland
T: 0141 282 5036 M: 07535 657 117
E: K.Blackie@LTScotland.org.uk
For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902 |
