Trip to the Consolarium,

As part of the elective, we had the opportunity to take a trip to the Consolarium in Dundee. The Consolarium looks at Games Based Learning and how it can be used within the classroom. During the visit we got to look at WII's, iPets (No site found), Nintendo DS, etc.

I believe the iPets is a great resource to use within the nursery. Pupils would learn how to care after a pet e.g. how to wash him, how to feed him, the attention he needs etc. I feel that the game will also help them personally as they will build a bond with their pet as it is completely in their control. I think it will also teach them what they need to know for their own personal hygiene, lifestyle etc.

We were also shown on three different levels of how pupils could create their own games. I feel that this is something that should be used within a classroom as it is something for the future. The future is constantly changing and as primary teachers, we are faced with the challenge of providing children with the correct skills for the future. Because we live in the Digital Age, it is vital that we do this properly. Children 'need to be tech-savvy if they are going to have any hope of a secure future.' (Williamson, 2007, no page given). The games they showed us got more difficult. The first seemed easy enough to use within the primary school. I would personally aim it at p3-p5. The second is more aimed towards upper school and the third was purely for secondary school.The three game making applications were continous i.e. they should be used to show progression.

Overall, the trip to the Consolarium was very insightful. It provided me with some ideas that I could take both out to nursery and school.