Derek Robertson (twitter, blog) from Learning and Teaching Scotland has been conducting a study of the effects of Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training (for the Nintendo DS) on pupils in Scottish primary schools. Initial results from research in 3 classes showed a significant improvement in mental maths as well as having a positive impact on other aspects of classroom life. The study was then rolled out in 32 schools where similar results were found.

CBBC report here.

This paper is due to be published next month:

Miller, D.J. & Robertson, D.P. (in press) Using a games console in the
primary classroom: Effects of ‘Brain Training’ programme on
computation and self-esteem. British Journal of Educational Technology

update 27th Feb: BBC Newsround visits Fraserburgh here.

With the benefit of a little distance, I thought it was about time I blogged a little about last week’s Scottish Learning Festival. A little hindsight is a great thing, and it’s certainly allowed me to crystallise my thoughts somewhat. For me, this years event was a bit of a watershed. For the previous two years, I was little more than a passive observer taking it all in and using my visits for little more than reflection, albeit valuable reflection. This year, perhaps due to my involvement with GLOW and as a result of blogging for the past year or so, it was much more of an interactive experience and in the process of presenting, meetings, and chatting to folk I’d only previously known ‘virtually’ I felt much more a part of the whole thing. I guess there are parallels with our classrooms in that somewhere if we equate my different experiences at SLF’s over the years with students’ classroom experiences changing from passive episodes to more involved interactive experiences.

This year’s SLF was also important to me for another reason – having worked with GLOW for over a year now and having just completed the first part of a very time-consuming piece of research on ICT in education, I felt the need for some new focus with regard to my direction with GLOW and with my teaching in general. I was looking for some new perspective, some fresh ideas, perhaps even a new sense of vision. That’s why it was so good for me to be able to use my speaker’s badge to be able to slip in and out of so many different presentations and seminars. Seeing the great work so many people are doing across the country, using technology to really impact upon teaching and learning was just fantastic. Imaginative use of GLOW for all sorts of things, Derek Robertson’s pioneering work with games-based learning, and some of the novel approaches to ACfE on display (which focused on the pedagogy rather than the content) were all very inspirational. I was even able to get some new perspective on my own work with GLOWfrom the reactions and comments from others seeing this during some of the LTS seminars where it was being used. Teach-meet 08 was also inspirational- and so good to catch up with so many people again, as well as some great ideas. John Davittstands out for me I think and I hope to be able to incorporate a couple of his ideas within my GLOW groups very soon. And of course, one of my pupils managed to win the Sonic and Mario Wii play-off final, winning a shed load of gaming kit for our school,  equipment which will be put to very good use indeed by different teachers and subject areas.

I came away from SLF this year with that sense of new direction I’d been hoping for. I’ve got some ideas for new projects as well as some valuable perspective on my own work which will give me plenty to think about during the coming year. I’ve got three big presentations to do during the next two months, one being presenting my work on GLOW at the SERA conference in November. I know that my experiences at SLF08 will give me some great insight and examples as I prepare my materials for these events…and I’m already looking forward to being involved in some way with SLF09…

and as you’ve probably gathered, I can now hyperlink ! (thanks to the teachmeet wiki and Ollie Bray for shaming me into learning how to do this)

London’s Daily Telegraph reports a study of 600 students in 32 schools across Britain led by Learning and Teaching Scotland found test scores increased after playing “Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training” each day for nine weeks. The students were ages nine and ten, and played “a 20-minute problem-solving session” on the game each day. Scores increased on the post-test for all students, but up to 50% more for the experimental group. The experimental group also had higher attendance, better behavior, and finished the test quicker. Gains were equal among boys and girls. Finally, whether children had a Nintendo DS at home or not did not affect their scores. Here are the key quotes:

Derek Robertson, LTS’s national adviser for emerging technologies and learning, said: “It shows teachers needn’t be afraid to use technology in the classroom.”

Lorna Neilson, a teacher at Hillhead Primary School in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, took part in the study.

She said the game had now become part of her daily classroom routine.

She said: “It’s had a really positive effect. The children settle much more quickly, they concentrate better and are more motivated.

“I have a Nintendo DS at home and I was already a fan, but it’s been a great tool in the classroom. I think it’s something we should see used in more schools.”

References:
Irvine, C. (2008, September 26). Playing Nintendo’s Brain Trainer ‘can improve childrens’ maths skills.’ Daily Telegraph. [Online.] Retrieved September 29, 2008 from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3084265/
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