‘The Game of the Sea’: An Interdisciplinary Educational Board Game on the Marine Environment and Ocean Awareness for Primary and Secondary Students [Scholarly Article - Educ. Sci, February 2022]

Title:

‘The Game of the Sea’: An Interdisciplinary Educational Board Game on the Marine Environment and Ocean Awareness for Primary and Secondary Students

 

Authors:

Elena Arboleya-Garcia & Laura Miralles

University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain

 

Published:

Education Sciences, 12(1), 16 January 2022

https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/12/1/57

 

Abstract:

Games are a proven tool for learning at all ages and in many contexts. They increase the attractiveness of learning processes through arousing interest and enhancing motivation, and aid with the development of social skills. Educational games provide teachers with different approaches to teaching. ‘The Game of the Sea’ is an interdisciplinary board game, specifically designed to teach its players about the marine environment, regardless of their age. Through its 68 sections, coloured according to particular topics and organised as a fish shape, players encounter a wide range of questions and activities. Through playing this game, players acquire a broad knowledge of science, the marine environment and its importance, and literature. The game uses an interdisciplinary approach with question cards on a variety of topics (including maths, physics, biology, chemistry, art, etc.). A total of 222 players (111 children, aged 11–15, and 111 adults, aged 18–72) tested the game. These players were enrolled in different formal and non-formal educational contexts and had different educational backgrounds. For a qualitative analysis of game sessions (participant observation), researchers acted as game moderators and, while doing so, made subtle observations of players playing the game. On top of this, the value of the game, as a didactic tool, was evaluated with a test that players took before and after the game. After playing the game, knowledge of the marine environment, increased in both children and adults, with a slightly higher increase in children. Therefore, ‘The Game of the Sea’ is suitable for teaching all ages about the marine environment. Further, this game can impart to its players the importance of the marine environment and the importance of protecting this environment.

 

The Conversation, 18 May 2020 - University education in refugee camps must meet refugee needs

Title:
University education in refugee camps must meet refugee needs

Authors:
Paul O'Keeffe & Abdeljalil Akkari

Published:
The Conversation, 18 May 2020
https://theconversation.com/university-education-in-refugee-camps-must-meet-refugee-needs-137796

From the article:
"Online education has, in recent years, emerged as one of the main methods of delivering higher education in the camps.  

Refugee camps lack infrastructure, have few resources and people are confined far away from traditional higher education institutions. Coupled with advances in technology and global education inter-connectivity, online education is touted as a viable solution for refugees that seek further learning.  

While there is great potential for online higher education to reach many people, caution needs to be paid if online education is to live up to the hype."

Scholarly Article (April 2020) - The Role of Universities of Georgia in Providing Continuing Education Courses of Local Self-Government Public Servants

Title:
The Role of Universities of Georgia in Providing Continuing Education Courses of Local Self-Government Public Servants

Author:
Maka Kordzadze

Published:
World Journal of Education, Volume 10, Number 2, April 2020
https://doi.org/10.5430/wje.v10n2p69

Abstract:
"The present-day rate of development of the society and technologies in any sphere requires from the employee constant raising of qualification and gaining new knowledge and skills – continuous professional development. Life-long learning, continuing education is equally important compared with initial degree education. This leads to the necessity of ensurng continuing education in especially significant areas for the country in which the country’s  leading universities have to be actively involved. Provision of continuing education for local self- government public servants in recent years in the context of the self - government reform gained special actuality in Georgia. The aim of the article is to underline the significant role of universities of Georgia in developing and providing continuing education courses to public servants of local self-government and identifying those measures which will promote active involvement of universities in this process."