Education Revolution: 5 Pieces of Inspiration

Anarchy!  I hope it is evident from our previous articles that we think the current education system is outdated and flawed.  It has its merits, but it is also has huge problems and is leaving many children ill-equipped and disenfranchised.  I have selected five pieces of inspiration, four videos and an article, towards an education revolution.  This is something I am passionate about, but they speak for themselves, so I'll just dive straight in and then let you mull them over.

And finally, an article from Cracked.com: '4 Ways Your Education Was a Conspiracy to Make You Bored' - be warned, this one contains swearing and sexual references.

-UPDATE-

I came across another fantastic, inspiring video.  Please give this one a watch too.  Also, you might be interested in another school which has used pupil directed learning, see our blog post, 'Games Based School'.

For more inspiration, see our previous posts: 'The Future of Learning' and 'Sir Ken Robinson, Education and Gamification'.

Please follow @paulladley on Twitter, games-ED on Pinterest and like games-ED’s Facebook and Google+ pages for blog updates and interesting games based learning findings.

20 Computer Free Games Based Learning and Gamification Resources

We talk a lot about games based learning and gamification based on or around computers and technology in some way.  But of course, games don’t have to be computer based and offline games and play can be extraordinarily powerful learning tools as well.  Here is a list of 20 computer free game resources to teach a variety of age groups a variety of things.  A lot of these are from parents, but will act as great inspiration to teachers.  Please post any ideas you have or any tried and tested games you have used with your children or students in the comments.

"Play is the highest form of research" 

- Albert Einstein

1. Sight Word Connect Four 
2. 11 Fun Spelling Ideas for Kids 
3. Math Games with a Deck of Cards 
4. Domino Counting Game 
5. Gamification in the Kingdom of Cognosco 
6. 5 Ways to Learn with Chalk 
7. A Whole Host of Homemade Games 
8. Sneaky Math with Scrabble 
9. 5 Activities for Learning with Play 
10. Early Literacy Games 
11. Preschool Math: Learning with Dominoes 
12. Lego Fractions 
13. Development of Play: 24 Ways to Explore with your Baby 
14. What is the Number? (article in French - essentially like the game ‘Guess Who’, but with numbers.  So the player asks questions like: “Is the number between _ and _” or, “Is the number greater than_” to teach maths concepts)
15. Dramatic Play: Inspired by Piaget 
16. Gamification With and Without the Tech 
17. Blank Game Boards for Download 
18. Fun and Easy Physical Education Games to Teach Teamwork 
19. 6 Science for Kids Activities 
20. Lights and Sounds Buzzers 

"Play is the answer to how anything new comes about"

- Jean Piaget

Please follow @paulladley on Twitter, games-ED on Pinterest and like games-ED’s Facebook and Google+ pages for blog updates and interesting games based learning findings.