The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of geography classes using taboo games on developing student's ability to think, deviating from the traditional geography teaching methods focusing on rote memorization. After playing taboo games in ...
The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of geography classes using taboo games on developing student's ability to think, deviating from the traditional geography teaching methods focusing on rote memorization. After playing taboo games in which students explain keyword without using presented taboo words, worksheets of participants were analyzed with interviews to demonstrate what kind of thinking skills are working.
The results of the analyses are as follows.
First, while divergent thinking is applied to students who explain keyword in taboo games, convergent thinking is applied to students who listen to and guess them. Second, students have a tendency to use a variety of direct and/or indirect experiences as well as cross curricular knowledge in order to explain keyword without using taboo words.
Third, students seems to improve critical thinking ability through taboo games. When other groups explain keyword to them, students have a more highly objective and critical evaluating ability than they explain them to other groups.
Fourth, during the game metacognition is employed that can distinguish the knowledge that he knows from that he doesn't.
Fifth, students try to understand what he doesn't know or a new one by investigating or asking questions to peers or teachers. This implies that self-directed and student-centered learning will take place in the class using taboo games.
Based on the above analyses, the following is suggested for the purpose of developing students' thinking ability.
First, it is likely that students' thinking ability will be more enhanced when students make their own taboo cards and play with them than when teachers provide the cards with them.
Second, in order to distinguish taboo games from speed games, more discussions and Q&A sessions should be needed for questionable as well as incomprehensible explanations. Finally, teachers are required to correct and supplement misconceptions or imperfect parts.