Sportified Learning

Definition of Sports

Sports are institutionalized competitive activities that involve rigorous physical exertion or the use of relatively complex physical skills by participants motivated by personal enjoyment and external rewards. (Coakley, 2001; p.20)

 

While winning is the point of competition, the most permanent reward of sports is the building of character. Sportified Learning aims to use sport with more in mind, to achieve extraordinary results in education.  

 

Methodology

Step 1

Choose subject matter (e.g. math) and content of assessment (e.g. addition).

 

Step 2

Pick a sport & name your game. E.g. Basketball Math/Addition.

 

Step 3

Simplify and adjust the selected sport. Be creative! The goal is to make it fun, focus on the subject matter and link rewards to learning milestones. E.g. Basketball Math: Allowed to just pass and shoot. To move one step forward you need to answer a math question. If correct you pass to one teammate (different than the one that passed you) and take one step forward. No physical contact or pressure. Opponents position themselves infront of the players as if they are defending (i.e. squat and hands up) and when one opponent player makes a mistake the person infront of the

 

Step 4

Use the Sportified Learning Framework to make sure you added all components to make the game successful. E.g. Include the time-out option and have a scoreboard on the whiteboard.

 

Step 5

Decide on the classroom set up and any required resources. E.g. a basketball ball and two carton boxes/empty trash cans as your basketball hoop. You may use readily available equipment (e.g. ball) or students can just simulate the movement (e.g. swing with the baseball bat).

 

Step 6

Transform the class into a sports event. Assume the roles of coach and referee and your students the roles of athletes and fans. Make it a fun, fast-paced, and high-energy environment. Be as brief as possible when asking questions and make sure you adjust the questions based on the individual level so everyone plays an integral part in their team. 

Unbalanced Team Formation

It is recommended that the teacher forms not equal teams but teams composed of  participants equal in the tested skill. While counterintuitive, the aim is not to form balanced teams (a mix of weaker and stronger students that create equally strong teams), but rather teams with players of similar level in the subject matter (weaker players play together and stronger players together).

 

The teacher has a set of questions for each level and so can adjust the difficulty to each team, and preferably each student, so that everyone is actively involved, engaged, and feels important to their team. This makes it possible to excite students of very different levels and even ages within one game. Each student feels motivated to focus on the goal, as well as to study more at home, since goals are now both challenging and realistic for all.

 

Homework Maximization

In order to realize the greatest benefits from this method, the teacher connects assigned homework to a future Sportified event. When students know they will get to play a sports game based on the given homework, motivation to study rises substantially - it is not uncommon for students to actually ask for more homework to help their team win!

 

The event can last as little as five minutes to as long as the teacher deems adequate. Also, it is highly beneficial that the teacher keeps track of individual mistakes on a standard form so as to render personalized attention after the game.

 

Teacher as a Behavior Role Model

Success will depend on the the teacher leading by example. Being energetic and vocal with positive reinforcement can build on the passionate nature of sports (e.g. by cheering, high-fiving, supporting players while bringing some imagination that builds up fun).

 

Competition & Acknowledging Opponents

Finally, competition is a critical component of this method. The teacher will be mindful to take the time and educate students on how to cope with both defeat and victory - a skill fundamental to their future success and happiness. Instead of a room full of winners, an outcome rare in the real world, disappointment will elicit from students the perseverance needed to improve.

 

The ritual of recognizing opponents at the end, borrowed from sports, encourages students to experience the thrill of victory humbly and the agony of defeat gracefully.