Box Using Computer Games as a
Context for Learning and Social
Games Based Learning
Interaction
In Scottish Schools
Thinking out of the
Jenny MacNair
Whitecraig Primary School
Ollie Bray
Musselburgh Grammar School

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
www.olliebray.com

Box English
Computing
PE
Games Based Learning
In Scottish Schools
Thinking out of the
Games Based
Mfl SfL
Learning
Maths Science
Social Subjects

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools Where it all began…

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
Derek Robertson
‘Good Teachers’ use ‘Good Tools’

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Games Based Learning
In Scottish Schools
Thinking out of the
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/ictineducation/gamesbasedlearning/

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
http://ltsblogs.org.uk/consolarium/

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
Why Games
Based Learning?

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
Time
Learning Through Play

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
Relationships

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
Learning

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It’s not about ‘playing’
computer games
Games Based Learning
In Scottish Schools
Thinking out of the
It’s about ‘using’ computer
games

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
play the Guitar
It’s about learning
It’s not about learning to

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It’s not an investment in
computer games
Games Based Learning
In Scottish Schools
Thinking out of the
It’s an investment in
children

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3 Stages
Games Based Learning
• Training, planning & permission
In Scottish Schools
Thinking out of the
1)P7 Phase
2)Transition Morning / Day
3)Secondary Work
• Evaluation

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools Training, Planning and Permission

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
Headteachers
Parents
Selling the Idea
P7 Teachers

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Headteachers
Games Based Learning
In Scottish Schools
Thinking out of the
‘As a mountaineer and outdoor leader, Ollie Bray
is used to situations that would terrify the rest of
us. But facing bears, high ledges and white-water
rapids are nothing compared to six primary
heads who have been invited to let their senior
pupils play Guitar Hero in class.’

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
Parents

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools Teachers

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
The equipment

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
On-line Support
http://edubuzz.org/blogs/mgsguitarhero/

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools Stage One:
A context for learning

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Stage One
Games Based Learning
• P7 Classes use Guitar Hero as a
In Scottish Schools
Thinking out of the
Context for Learning from Easter to
Summer.

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools Planning

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Success Criteria
Games Based Learning
• I can undertake a personal research project on a rock
In Scottish Schools
musician or star.
Thinking out of the
• I can work collaboratively, showing communication and
successful teamwork.
• I can design and make suitable merchandise, and
advertising for an imaginary rock band.
• I can use my knowledge of global geography to plan a
sensible route for a tour, which fits within a given
timeframe.
• I can find out about cultural and economic factors in
different countries and how these can impact on visitors to
the country.

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
Literacy and project work

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
Art Work

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
Design and Technology

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools Character Studies

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
Animation

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools Enterprise

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools T-Shirt Making

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
Parent Showcase

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools Stage Two:
Social Interaction

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Transition Morning
Games Based Learning
• All P7 Children are brought together
In Scottish Schools
Thinking out of the
for a Transition Event at the
secondary school.
– Battle of the Bands
– Guidance Guitar Hero Challenge
– Another Activity

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools Start and End

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools Organisation

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Battle of the Bands
Games Based Learning
• Set Xboxes up around the hall.
In Scottish Schools
Thinking out of the
• Children compete with someone from
their new class but not their current
primary school.
• Logistic
– Projectors
– Power
– Leaderboard

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Guitar Hero Challenge
Games Based Learning
• Meet with new guidance teacher
In Scottish Schools
Thinking out of the
– Talk about the project work in P7, use
this as a context for discussion.
• Children split into groups of 4 – have
to complete GH challenge.
• Design a logo
• Think of a a band name
• Write the first two lines of a song
• Senior pupils assist / photograph

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Optional Activity
Games Based Learning
• CD cases
In Scottish Schools
Thinking out of the
• Guitar design
• Tour of school recording studio
• GH Drama
• GH Dance
• GH Orienteering
• Learn to play the guitar
• iTunes Challenge

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
Showcase of work

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools Stage Three:
Moving On and Looking Back

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In August
Games Based Learning
• The theme of Guitar Hero is used in
In Scottish Schools
Thinking out of the
some subject areas between the
start of term to the September
weekend.
– English (write postcards)
– CDT (make postcards)
– Social Subjects (discussion)

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools Evaluation:
How well did we do?

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Evaluation (1)
Stage One: Evaluation of the use of Guitar Hero in Primary School
Games Based Learning
100%
In Scottish Schools
90%
Thinking out of the
80%
70%
60%
% Responce
Strongly Agree
Agree
50%
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
I enjoyed working I learnt new skills The Guitar Hero The Guitar Hero During the Guitar The Guitar hero
on the Guitar Hero during the Guitar project has helped project has made Hero project I felt project gave me an
project with my Hero project me work better as me a more like a successful opportunity to learn
primary 7 teacher part of a small team confident individual learner in different ways
Questions

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Evaluation (2)
Stage Two: The Guitar Hero Transition Morning
Games Based Learning
In Scottish Schools
100%
Thinking out of the
90%
80%
70%
60%
% Responce
Strongly Agree
Agree
50%
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
I enjoyed the Guitar The Guitar Hero I made some new I learnt some new The Guitar hero It was good to play
Hero transition transition morning friends during the skills during the transition morning Guitar Hero with
morning helped make me transition morning. transition morning helped me to get to members of my
more prepared for know my guidence new class
secondary school teacher better
Questions

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Evaluation (3)
Stage Three: Extended Guitar hero Work in Secondary School
Games Based Learning
100%
In Scottish Schools
90%
Thinking out of the
80%
70%
60%
% Responce
Strongly Agree
Agree
50%
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
I enjoyed making the Guitar Hero I learnt some new skills when making I enjoyed writing back to my primary 7
postcards the Guitar Hero postcards teacher about the work I have been
doing in secondary school.
Questions

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Evaluation (4)
Guitar Hero Project Final Questions
Games Based Learning
100%
In Scottish Schools
90%
Thinking out of the
80%
70%
60%
% Responce
Strongly Agree
Agree
50%
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
The Guitar Hero project improved my I would recommend a Games Based I would be happy to help next years P7
transition to secondary school Learning project (like Guitar Hero) to teachers by telling them about the
next years P7. project.
Questions

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools Some Advice for Success

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
5
bits of advice

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
Little Victories

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
Let the children lead the way!

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools Be prepared to take risks!

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools Be Optimistic!

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
permission’
‘It’s a lot easier to
apologise than gain

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
Direction
Its time to think?

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
Sustainability

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
Progression

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools
Common Sense

Games Based Learning
Thinking out of the Box
In Scottish Schools

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Games Based Learning
In Scottish Schools
Thinking out of the
‘The future depends
on what we do in
the present’
(Ghandi)
e: olliebray@gmail.com
t: www.twitter.com/olliebray
b: www.olliebray.com