Teaching the Relevance of Game-based Learning to Preschool and Primary Teachers

Abstract

Nowadays there is an increasing need for teachers to help learners engage with learning and keep them motivated, as well as a need to familiarize teachers – adults who have not been familiar with computers and hence regard their use in education with a greater or smaller degree of anxiety – with the use of the new technologies in education. We believe that helping teachers, adults, understand the importance of games in learning, as well as how to use game-based teaching and learning, will meet both of the needs mentioned above. Game-based learning has been found to promote a positive attitude towards learning and develop memory skills, along with its potential to connect learners and help them build self-constructed learning. Our paper attempts to distinguish between traditional and digital game-based learning, highlight the advantages and disadvantages of this type of educational approach and propose ways in which preschool and primary school teachers/adults may be taught the relevance of game-based learning, as well as methods to apply game-based teaching-learning techniques in class