Brain Train League Cookbook
Overview
Marie-Louise Brogan is Depute Headteacher at Holy Family Primary School in Kirkintilloch. Game Based Learning through the use of Nintendo DS Brain Train was introduced in April 2009 as part of a new initiative to develop mental maths strategies in the senior stages.
In the pilot programme Nintendo DS Brain Training was used with P4-6 and the learners recorded the information on paper which was completed by the child and overseen by the class teacher. The best Brain Age and speed for ‘20 x Calculations’ was displayed on the classroom wall in order to celebrate success and achievement.
In session 2009-2010 Marie-Louise worked with Vicky Mackenzie from Lairdsland PS to create a Glow Group where learners could publish their results as part of a league. This league was named ‘EDC Brain Trained Weans League’ and is part of a Glow Group named ‘EDC Brain Trained Learners’.
What the league looks like
In this cookbook we’ll look at how Marie-Louise and Vicky use a range of web parts within the ‘EDC Brain Train Learners’ Glow Group to communicate with learners, enable learners to submit their score onto a league table and allow pupils to contact each other through the discussion forum and Glow Meet to share good practice and hints and tips with each other.
Context
Marie-Louise and Vicky were keen to provide a relevant and stimulating basis for covering the Curriculum for Excellence numeracy outcomes:
First Level
I can use addition, subtraction, multiplication and division when solving problems, making best use of the mental strategies and written skills I have developed.
MNU 1-03a
I can tell the time using 12 hour clocks, realising there is a link with 24 hour notation, explain how it impacts on my daily routine and ensure that I am organised and ready for events throughout my day.
MNU 1-10a
I have begun to develop a sense of how long tasks take by measuring the time taken to complete a range of activities using a variety of timers.
MNU 1-10c
I can convey information, describe events or processes, share my opinions or persuade my reader in different ways.
LIT 1-28a / LIT 1-29a
Second Level
Having determined which calculations are needed, I can solve problems involving whole numbers using a range of methods, sharing my approaches and solutions with others.
MNU 2-03a
Having explored the need for rules for the order of operations in number calculations, I can apply them correctly when solving simple problems.
MTH 2-03c
I can carry out practical tasks and investigations involving timed events and can explain which unit of time would be most appropriate to use.
MNU 2-10b
I can persuade, argue, explore issues or express an opinion using relevant supporting detail and/or evidence.
LIT 2-29a
Communicating with each other
In this cookbook, we will find out:
• What the ‘EDC Brain Train Learners’ Glow Group looks like
• How a Custom List web part has been used to create an active league
• How to replicate the league table
• What the impact was
Ingredients
What did Holy Family PS and Lairdsland PS need to do to create the elements of the Glow Group and give pupils and staff access to it?
1. Nintendo DS Handsets
2. Nintendo Brain Train Software
3. A Glow Group
4. The Custom List in a data sheet view web part
It was also necessary to ensure pupils had Contributor rights within the Glow Group to enable them to take part in discussions, add their results and upload documents.
In the next section, we’ll take a look at the ‘EDC Brain Train Learners’ Glow Group and learn how to recreate elements within it.
Recipe
The first video below shows the ‘EDC Brain Train Learners’ Glow Group and the uses made of a range of web parts. The videos that then follow show how the league web part can be recreated. Details are:
*What does the Brain Train Learners Glow Group Look Like?
*How to create a new page within a Glow Group
*How to create a league web part within a Glow group
*How to add an item on to the league part
*How to use the Filter Tool Within the League
Teacher’s Video in Impact of Glow
Product
The impact of using Glow to deliver this learning activity has been considerable.
The use of Nintendo Brain Train has shown an increase in children’s speed and accuracy of calculation in addition and subtraction and multiplication/division tables.
Within the Glow group the learners talk freely of how they have ‘become faster and better’ at their sums and how this game has helped them. They share ideas with each other to increase speed and accuracy and lower brain age.
Although the learners continue to strive for self improvement the use of a joint Glow group has resulted in learners being keen to work with each other and compete to be a part of the league. The element of competition and being part of a wider community is clear from their communications and eagerness to be part of the Glow group.
The Glow group has now been opened up to members within the Local Authority, East Dunbartonshire, and secondary and primary schools have joined. This has increased the range within the group. The link to the group is now available on the Local Authority site.