A Video Game Makes Math And English Classes A Full-Body Experience Disability Scoop
A Video Game Makes Math And English Classes A Full-Body Experience Disability Scoop
A Video Game Makes Math And English Classes A Full-Body Experience Disability Scoop
By Javeria Salman
March 23, 2021
Summary
Miriam Figueroa, a pre-K teacher in the district, said the physical activity combined with a virtual world with bright colors and animated characters is engaging, even for the shyest students, and also for students who struggle with learning differences such as ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism.
Although some teachers only use Kinems for a short period of time each day, it does allow students to engage in active learning without the risks involved in sharing physical materials, Reynolds said.
Kinesthetic learning is woven into each game, whether it is focused on math or ELA. Teachers can personalize activities based on individual students' academic needs or, for students in special education, the goals in their individualized education program, or IEP. The program gives teachers real-time feedback on both learning and motor skills.
Early grade students may practice math vocabulary and learning to count, while older students practice math operations, language and vocabulary skills, and sentence structures and spelling.
Although the Kinems program has been used in U.S. schools for just a few years, a 2017 study of Kinems by Pace University's School of Education found that the data "Heavily supports the effective use of kinesthetic movement for the purpose of increasing student engagement and performance outcomes" for students with disabilities.
Despite some initial bumps in the use of the platform, Reynolds said teachers in the district have already begun to see an increase in student interest and engagement.
A teacher recently told Reynolds that one of her nonverbal students, who was often reluctant to follow directions, has become a model for other students when they use Kinems.
Reference
Salman, J. (2021, March 23). A video game makes math and english classes a full-body experience. Retrieved July 02, 2021, from https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2021/03/23/a-video-game-makes-math-and-english-classes-a-full-body-experience/29255/