The need

“ Recent research by the London Institute of Education concluded that games have a valid place in the classroom. "Games teach life skills such as decision making, problem solving," said Martin Owen, at Futurelab. Mr. Owen said games could also help children make quick assessments of situations and learning by trial and error. ” – Source BBC Online, January 2005.

“Currently only limited systematic research exists on the role of educational games in learning, but what there is has identified their motivational potential, their role in developing new cognitive abilities, ‘learning by doing’ and the promotion of shared learning and communications.” – The Becta Review 2006

Games teach life skills such as decision making, problem solving

Products

pixelfountain has designed and delivered a number of games (serious games/games based learning) in the education market:

Revolt (A renewable energy game)

Planit-education (A Sustainable development learning-simulation)

Benefits

The following benefits have been observed in the use of pixelfountain's educational games in the classroom.

	•	Sharing of Knowledge
	•	Learning to work with others, in pairs, groups or teams, is an essential life skill, which could be of particular value to pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties
	•	Improved ICT skills
	•	Pupils recognised that their decisions were often more effective if they discussed ideas before implementing them
	•	Problem solving and critical thinking skills, such as considering options and taking rational decisions.
	•	Competitive play encourages engagement
	•	Increase in motivation within the National Curriculum framework is of great value in classrooms
	•	group collaboration can help individuals gain both self-confidence and respect for others

Services

Lesson/Event Delivery

learning-simulations with their high level of engagement, multiplayer format, drama and competitive element lend themselves to events and use in the classroom.

Planit-Education has been used in a number of events:
•Urban Summit 2005 (G-Mex, Manchester),
•Schools event for the Liverpool City of Culture
•St Helens MBC (World Environment Day - 2006)
•Bury MBC (Environment Week - 2005)
•Sefton MBC (Environment Event at Aintree Racecourse)

Planit-Education has also been branded and licensed to Salford MBC, who purchased 10 licenses for use in Schools. Which included train the teacher sessions for those leading the lessons.

RE|VOLT was launched in April 2004 and delivered to a total of 306 children from 9 schools, as well as 12 teachers who now feel confident to run a similar lesson using the software.

Bespoke Development

We have developed a number of learning-simulations for use in the classroom and general education. We are keen to work with partners to further develop our portfolio and market penetration.

Consultancy

We have been using learning-simulations (serious games) in the classroom and beyond for a number of years. Our experience in the design, development and evaluation of games we are able to offer consultancy on educational games.

“An excellent resource. Students were interested and
involved throughout.” - Business Studies teacher,
Fallibroome High School

More Information

Factsheet

Product Links

Education Products