Designing Games & Activities for Leisure Education KNR 253 Stumbo, 2002

What is Leisure Education?  In general Uses educational model Focuses on learning various leisure- related skills, attitudes, and knowledge May be one of our most important/unique program service areas

Principles of Learning & Motivation Navar  Meaningfulness  Matches ability  Modeling by leader  Active appropriate practice  Novelty stimulates attention  Pleasant conditions & consequences

Four Content Areas: LAM  Leisure Awareness  Social Interaction Skills  Leisure Activity Skills  Leisure Resources

Indirect & Direct Strategies Mundy, 1998  Indirect Insert leisure content in existing games (Charades, Password, collages) Use teachable moments Use in environment (pictures, answering machine)  Direct Activities Games Classes Programs

Why a Game Format?  Stimulating/fun  Attention focusing  Learn specified knowledge/skills  Gain new ideas  Observe others’ reactions  Allows different levels of ability  Interact in safe environment  Develop/explore alternatives  Diminish staff’s role  Games can be part of a specific program

8 Advantages to Using Games & Activities 1. Ability to induce changes in the participant 2. Flexibility and relevance of the game/activity to real-life situations 3. Promotion of group cohesiveness, 4. Depth of involvement, 5. Level of motivation, 6. Receptiveness of participants, 7. Promotion of individual/group responsibility 8. Safe, non-threatening environment

Ability to Induce Changes in the Participant  Changing behaviors  View various alternatives  Distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate behaviors  Willing to accept suggestions to change

Flexibility & Relevance to Real-Life Situations  Correspond to content  Customized  Modified  Adapting activities

Group Cohesiveness  Cooperation  Comradery  Cohesiveness  Equality  Transfer to social interactions

Depth of Involvement  Easily engaged  Interesting format  Get information quickly  Parallels real situations

Level of Motivation  Short time span  Hold attention  Keep interest and enthusiasm high  Involved to see outcome

Receptiveness  Less defensive  Examine certain behaviors/attitudes  Examine certain barriers  Process and verbalize  Accept constructive criticism for alternatives

Responsibility  Shift responsibility  Group responsibility  Personal decision-making  Learning consequences  Check comfort and satisfaction

Safe Environment  Partial simulations of real life  Sheltered  Controlled  Safe  Freer

Where do I get games?  Buy Catalog, flyers Show examples  Make Show examples

General Rules 1. Decide the overall purpose and goal of the game or activity Specific What LE to focus Match abilities  To teach how to locate and use leisure resources in the community  To increase understanding of the importance of leisure in a balance lifestyle  To teach about how to locate low-cost activities and events in the community. Review LAM

General Rules 2.Write specific intended participant objectives for outcomes related to participation in the activity Guide development of activity  3-5 measurable objectives Client outcomes  At the conclusion of the activity, the participant will be able to identify three sources of community leisure information (newspaper, program brochures, telephone directory, etc) with 80% accuracy. Activity should target participant behaviors

General Rules 3. Select the general format of the game or activity. Structure (board game, paper/pencil, discussion, take home)  Develop draft of board and package Environment/setting Depend on abilities and purpose

General Rules 4. Develop rules of the game Detailed Simple Easily lead by others Look at rules Adapt games Content becomes focus of play See LE Activity Planning Form

General Rules 5. Gather or create the necessary materials to play Gathering and developing Created or existing Durable Appealing Relate Reflect

General Rules 6. Play the game with other people. Determine how others react Questions they have Clarification needed? Critique See LE Activity Evaluation form

General Rules 7. Revise the game, if necessary. Based on test and evaluation Assure the outcomes Appropriate and meaningful