Page 10 - Ideas

smiles,” Gary observed.

A few interesting elements were found to elicit strong
reactions from his students. For instance, students who
land on a spot on the board which the instructor is
currently occupying will be posed an advanced question.
“Sometimes, they are a bit surprised to be given an
advanced question,” Gary remarked, “so they strategise
to avoid landing on the same spot as the instructor!”

The game does not only benefit the students, but Gary as
well. Seeing his students more engaged and energised,
derives from the premise which has students starting off Gary commented, “I feel more motivated in class when I
with a C+ grade, which they aim to improve over the can make the students smile or laugh.”
course of the game. Gameplay and instructions take
about 45 minutes to an hour. Barriers to the adoption of innovative teaching tools

GIGAME is played in class at the end of the semester Time was one of Gary’s greatest personal challenges in
and used as a revision tool for course content covered up the adoption and implementation of the game. It took
to that point in time, before students take their final
exam. Students are typically divided into groups of 4 to 6
members. The game is projected on the screen and

individual group representatives take turns to come up to
the front of the class to answer the questions. Gary then
provides feedback and explains the correct answers to
the class.

Despite the familiar gameplay, students are still surprised
about the game’s use in class and are generally excited
about its features, even the mature students took to the
game well. “It has brought on some laughter and