Game Based Learning - Educational Mobile Apps
Learn while you play. Looks quite contradictory right? Usually we tell kids to finish their homework and then go out for playing which is totally free play. Kids are always in a party mood and they can never get tired of playing. Keeping this in mind many app developers are providing game based mobile apps. As Parents you will surely not mind your young ones spending time on mobile if you see they are gaining some knowledge as well. Will you?
Especially if a child has fear or a dislike for a particular subject he might try to run away from that subject. Parents can find different methods to introduce the kids to that particular subject in order to remove that apprehension. This has always been true for different subjects like Maths or English or any other particular language.
Technology based learning has settled in real terms and especially with anywhere anytime access to information (thanks to wireless networks and wide spread of smart phone technology) it is getting preference over the traditional learning methods.
Remember your school days. Think of your favourite subject and think of the teacher who taught. In 90% of the cases it was the teacher who influenced your liking for a particular subject. If all the teachers were able to generate interest with their skilful and fun filled ways then there would never be any phobia of any subject.
What if math was taught in a form of a game? Think about collecting candies /lollypops/ice creams while running and counting the total of it, distributing it among your peers, adding some more from your best friend. That would have been fun isn’t it?? Though it is difficult to achieve this in real sense today it is materialised through virtual world with virtual lollypop and virtual peers. There cannot be any comparison with the real experience but these virtual acts create real fun. It definitely removes the barriers in learning and helps you take closer to mathematics as a subject and develops an interest in it. Once you are curious enough, the process of self learning will begin as you will be motivated and no outside force or app would be required to generate such effect.
What if language learning was based on story-telling? What if you weave a story series that will teach you about different climate conditions around the world with the use of fictitious characters, wonderful audio and visuals? Will your child ever run away from geography subject?
There are apps which help you learn the programming skills, maths basic, language learning starting from basic like sounds of vowels and consonants. Most of the apps have educational resources, assignments, interactive tools and printable material available with them. It need not be always related to study. Children can also learn behavioural skills, Good manners, get some general knowledge and amusement in a fun and safe way.
Game based learning is playing most important role in today’s scenario.
The main advantage of these apps is, one can learn at his/her own pace. In a typical classroom, there is always pressure of peers. There is always pressure of professors. One might find it difficult to catch with others while studying. With Mobile apps one can get an opportunity to learn the subject of his choice. We can get advantage and feel more freedom.
In typical mobile learning apps, there are usually self evaluation tests. So when one is really comfortable with one level , he would be going to the next level. Learners can also share their tips, feedback, achievements and those could be a guideline for new learners who are interested in downloading these apps. New age learners are already in full swing using the mobile apps while the older generation is not left far behind. It is getting accustomed to it slowly.
If you check Google play store there are several apps available online. The good news is most of them are available for free and they have good quality standard as well.
In today’s world it is next to impossible to keep your children away from technology. Everything comes with its pros and cons. Excessive use will always lead to destruction. What if we use the technology smartly to our benefit?
