Professional Learning for Busy Educators

Team building games offer students fun opportunities to hone critical skills for success in the modern workplace. Students (and future employees!) that value teamwork are more motivated and creative. They’re also better at problem solving and communicating with one another and have a higher level of trust. We already know students love working in groups. Why not make a game of it?

Critical thinking is the most important skill to develop, since in these times of information at hand, we cannot believe everything we see, read, and hear, and that is why it is important to develop this ability as it allows us to be alert and question everything that comes from these means of information. Is a skill that moves a student from concrete ideas to abstract and inferred concepts. Critical thinking allows us to analyze outcomes, compare ideas, identify parallels, sequence events, synthesize information and draw conclusions from a given body of knowledge. Whether it is the proof behind a mathematics formula or an implied tone in an essay, critical thinking skills enable students to solve problems in the real world and on exams in school. Meghan Moll (2014) suggests five tools to develop the critical thinking skills necessary for success on every high school or college test and assignment. 1. Brain games: Recently, websites dedicated to training your brain have enjoyed increased popularity. Lumosity, for example, provides games that aid in improving memory and problem-solving. From timed matching games to order sequence memorization, websites like this can aid in cognition and the ability to ask, "What is the next step?" This skill is critical to learning how to approach complex problems on standardized tests like the ACT and SAT. Rather than playing time-wasting games when you have a lull in your day, search online for brain teasers and peruse the plethora of brain games at your fingertips. 2. Logic puzzles: Before the Internet, puzzles intended to exercise your brain were published in books. Collections of crossword puzzles, logic problems, riddles, sudoku, word problems and word searches can be found at your local bookstore or library. The puzzles in these books are a wonderful strategy to activate different parts of your brain for a round or two of mental gymnastics, and many collections even discuss what each puzzle is meant to target within the mind. 3. Board games: This suggestion may seem strange at first, but do not balk. Choose board games that require more than luck – namely, strategy – for players to win. Any game where players must carefully consider their next move, recognize patterns and remember details will aid in honing critical thinking skills. Certain games like Rubik’s Cube are single-player, while others involve multiple people. Checkers, chess and Mastermind are two-player games that challenge you to plan several steps ahead. Games like Boggle and Scrabble require analyzing information quickly and formulating words, while Clue and Risk test and strengthen your ability to anticipate and react to others’ moves, as well as infer motives. 4. Journaling: Daily reflection – such as maintaining a journal – is a simple way to revisit your day, but it is also a fantastic opportunity to explore ideas. Writing encourages you to expand upon your thoughts and form connections. A journal forces you to slow down and focus on just one or two ideas at a time, which hectic schedules don't otherwise allow. Use your journal to record important ideas and questions and narratives about your life. 5. Book clubs: Students who read for understanding find it far easier to think critically than those who rush to finish. Analyzing a book requires you to delve deeper and ponder complex questions. When reading, think about why the book was written the way it was, what motivates certain characters, and how plot developments may be symbols of foreshadowing. Locate a book club to hone these skills. You will read works you otherwise may not have, and you will learn to examine character development, plot, symbolism and a whole host of other features.

Great games to use with "ME Leadership" (Marks of Excellence)