New research from University of South Australia has found popular games such as Angry Birds, Mario Kart, or Animal Crossing could distract kids from engaging in the curriculum, unless they have a teacher who is willing to bend the rules.
In a new paper, researchers explored how a group of early childhood teachers successfully connected with children who were not engaging in learning, finding that tuning in to children’s interests can be a game-changer when it comes to motivating learning.
Working with 20-25 pre-schoolers (who were disengaged with learning activities) the study found that teachers who could connect learning with children’s culture, language, motivations, and interests were more likely to create engaged and active learners.
University of South Australia researcher and Deputy Director of the Centre for Research in Educational and Social Inclusion (CRESI), Dr Jamie Sisson, said we need to recognise that teachers across all levels are striving to personalise student learning and maximise engagement.
“We’re at a critical point for Australia’s education system. Teachers are crying out for more support amid heavy workloads and a crowded curriculum. And those who are teaching, are still striving to deliver the best education experience possible,” Dr Sisson said.
“In this study, we showed how a standardised and pre-planned curriculum – something that is often put forward as a solution to relieve the teacher workforce – does not always attract children’s interest, leading to a disengagement from learning.
Here, Dr Sisson said, a team of preschool teachers were struggling to engage with a group of 20-25 young children who were disengaged with the prescribed learning, instead choosing to run about the yard all day.
“While running seems a positive thing for pre-schoolers, the teachers – even at pre-school level – felt a lot of pressure to ensure that the children met their developmental milestones, including learning phonics, so that they could become ‘school ready’.
“But rather than limiting or deterring what the children wanted to do, the teachers shifted the curriculum so that it flexibly addressed the children’s interests, culture, and motivations. And the result was that these children became more engaged, involved, open and confident in their learning.”
While Angry Birds and other digital games formed the basis of these children’s interest in this case study, teachers across all levels of education regularly adjust class plans and teaching approaches to better meet the individual needs of their students.
Dr Sisson said that the ability to reimagine traditional learning practices and bend the curriculum to meet individual needs should be prioritised and valued in today’s challenging teaching environment.
“Our research shines a light on the important intellectual work that early childhood teachers do every day to create engaging learning experiences,” Dr Sisson said.
“When learning experiences are built from children’s strengths and connected with their life experiences, they’re not only more likely to attract children’s engagement and build their skills, but also enhance teachers’ work satisfaction. And in a world where we are struggling to do both, this should be a number one priority.”
