Debbie Leyland Assistant Director Science Learning Centre North West Using the Nintendo Wii to increase attainment and engagement in GCSE coursework

Using Gaming Technologies in Teaching & Learning Game play can support valuable skill development Strategic thinking Planning Communication Application of numbers Negotiating Skills Group decision making Data handling

Teaching with Games Futurelab 2007 Teachers…generally reported that using (off the shelf) games in lessons was motivating…..when students were using games from their home environment and when students have some degree of autonomy in playing the game.

Background and Context of the Action Research Project Low ability year 11 GCSE Applied Science group (sports science) Were not expected to perform well in coursework 12 boys and 3 girls Exclusions an issue for the group Not usually involved in ‘special projects’ Do not sit down or write!!

The use of video Record what was happening in the activities Video diary of the research Background and Context of the Action Research Project

Can Games Consoles Be Good For Your Health? Activities/resource pack developed as a result of the research

Can Games Consoles Be Good For Your Health? It has been reported that playing on the Nintendo Wii is better for your health than using other games consoles. Gareth Stratton, Lee Graves and a team of scientists in Liverpool have actually conducted an investigation to see if you do use more energy when playing on a Wii compared to an XBOX 360. In the box below is what they concluded.

Conclusion Playing active computer games (like the Wii) used up more energy compared with sedentary games (like the XBOX 360), but not to the same extent as the really doing the sports. Further research is needed to find out how much energy is used when playing active computer games to compare the different sexes, different age ranges ages, and different consoles.

This team of scientists decided further work would be needed to investigate gaming and energy expenditure, so it is over to you…. Watch the video clip of Lee talking about his work

You are going to investigate if the Wii increases the mean heart rate of your class (as an indication of how much energy you are using) more than other types of games consoles. Scientists often look at work done by others to help them carry out their research. Look at the version of the Liverpool scientist’s work, which has been adapted from their original scientific paper, to help you plan your work. You can use the worksheet to help you. You may also want to explore the IET Faraday website for more information.

You have 10 minutes to plan your investigation in pairs OR Shall assume that we have conducted our preliminary work and planning?

Get into pairs and pick a number 1 or 2 Number 1s collect a DS/mobile phone/computer game e.g. nisChampions.html Number 2s to the front to be in the Wii team All take pulse for 15 seconds and record Number 1s turn on DS and load a game and sit down when ready When counted in all start gaming All take pulse for 15 seconds as soon as Wii game has stopped and record

Pool results Process and then display data What are your conclusions Any discussion points ?

Can Games Consoles Be Good For Your Health? Results of Action Research Hard to use as a full class/time consuming Only 8 Miis can be registered on Wii Fit

Can Games Consoles Be Good For Your Health? Wii Fit Plus Calorie counter METs Food equivalent Memory tasks

Can Games Consoles Be Good For Your Health? Results of Action Research 8/16 gained a grade C for coursework prior to external moderation Motivation of pupils was increased Increase in self esteem, particularly the boys Wii trialled in other classes Use of video was extended to other contexts School will be purchasing own equipment Project was positively alluded to in OFSTED inspection

STEM Careers (linked to IET Faraday website) A further section of the resource has been developed (but not trialled) to highlight STEM careers, in relation to the development and uses of Wii technologies.

Can Games Consoles Be Good For Your Health? Please look at the resource First draft Hints and tips Mapping Feedback/other suggestions for activities welcome!