The digital age has undoubtedly spurred plenty of opportunities. In modern society, technology has become somewhat ubiquitous with our day-to-day lives. Not only is it connecting people vastly across the globe, but tech has also merged industries together. Some that no one would have imagined just a few decades ago.
Education is undoubtedly one of the industries that are benefitting immensely from the technological advancements. Amongst the most significant shifts witnessed in recent times is the concept of edutainment. There are varying definitions of the term. The name first came into use and popularity in the 1980s. By combining education and entertainment, it referred to computer software and games that were created with the purpose of teaching content to the users.
Currently, edutainment broadly refers to any form of entertainment content that serves an educational purpose. The objective primarily is to make learning a fun experience. Edutainment usually comes in the form of visual content, games, online forums as well as informal didactic styles such as narratives.
Edutainment breaks from the traditional mode of learning. As opposed to continuous reading through the literature, the use of visually-stimulating media helps to attract and maintain the learner’s attention. This is mainly due to two reasons. One, visual content typically entails more visual acuity making it easier for learners to comprehend and remember content more efficiently. Second, edutainment is thoroughly engaging and fun, by extension.
There has always been a dissonance if education and entertainment can overlap with the benefit of the learner. Partly because the goals of either seem to be contradictory at face value, however, time is proving the immense potential to be realized as education and entertainment intersect. Here are a few selected strategies that found the intersection.
Jigsaw Puzzles in Class
Jigsaw puzzles are an ideal blend of art and engineering designed to enhance problem-solving skills. For most learners, puzzles are more than just a problem waiting to be solved. Instead, they are intriguing challenges with an assured reward once they are solved. As learners work through puzzles, they develop patience and resilience to overcome obstacles. Subsequently, there is an inherent sense of achievement that follows when the puzzles are finally solved.
For students in their formative years of education, jigsaw puzzles are invaluable. They are sufficient to develop logical thinking, dexterity, focus, and spatial thinking in young ones. For older learners, and adults as well, these puzzles are useful as a brain-training exercise that has low-intensity. It helps to improve memory, attention span, and honing motor skills.
Playing Chess
Chess is among one of the most vastly researched board games as an educational choice. As a strategy game, chess corresponds to improved brain functioning and an overall better aptitude to learn new things. The game correlates to better memory, problem-solving, and creative thinking capabilities. Hence, ardent chess players demonstrate impeccable math and reading scores.
Chess is ideal for learners for various reasons:
- There is a broader array of problems to solve. It, therefore, needs plenty of practice to develop focus, patience, and relevant skills.
- Since chess is a fun game, students develop a positive attitude towards learning.
- There rewards and punishments are immediate.
- A student playing chess learns how to be dynamic. They, therefore, are used to seeking different approaches to the problems at hand. Such a student will know where to seek essay help when the need arises.
Computer Games
To an extent, computer games as a means of education may sound counterintuitive. However, several games have been developed with the sole purpose of being fun and helpful to the learners. Some of the games are designed to tell stories. As a student plays the game, they are exposed to a narrative that requires them to undertake specific tasks.
The tasks are aimed at improving different skills in the learner. At the core, nonetheless, the games improve the student’s concentration, eye-hand coordination, memory, and problem-solving as expected. These computer games, hence, are exciting platforms for students to distinguish their strengths and weakness and adapt accordingly.
Videos and Podcasts
These two normally target older students. Both seek to disseminate knowledge and information to the learner in a captivating medium. Merely learning in a classroom can be sheer drudgery at times. However, the resourcefulness of the internet is chipping in to improve the learning experience.
Students can then easily find video and audio files over their topics of choice. Numerous credible channels make the learning experience stimulating. Not to mention that the students then have a higher chance of retaining what they learn.
Edutainment, undoubtedly, is proving to be an effective method of learning. We are already reaping the benefits of our endeavors. Only time will tell how much better this overlap gets.
