Serious Game Improves Classroom Management Skills Of Pre And In-Service Teachers

SimInClass - Image credit: Simsoft Technologies

SimInClass, developed by Simsoft Technologies, was selected as a finalist in the 2018 Serious Games Showcase and Challenge in the Business Category.

SimInClass is a 3D simulation-based game for Android tablets that aims to improve classroom management skills of pre-service and in-service teachers, allowing them to experience the effects of different teaching methods in a risk-free environment.

The game mimics real-life classroom activities such as preparing a lesson plan, integrating technology with class activities and dealing with misbehavior.

The game begins with creating a lesson plan. Players have a chance to experiment different teaching methods while preparing the lesson plan. Well-prepared lesson plans determine students' behavior; in class, thanks to artificial intelligence, students’ misbehavior derives from lesson flow.

SimInClass - Image credit: Simsoft Technologies

The game proceeds with in-class activities. Players are expected to process the course with different class sizes and number of students. Effectively integrating the use of technology is also expected.

SimInClass - Image credit: Simsoft Technologies

The preferred teaching methods and dealing methods when facing misbehavior affect the total score. These scores increase or decrease according to teacher’s activities in the classroom. Players should deal with misbehavior correctly to achieve game higher scores. In the game, students’ behaviors depend on their characters’ personality based on the O.C.E.A.N Model of Personality –Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.

Each student has a knowledge, entertainment and concentration score. The Classroom's scores are calculated from these individual scores. The factors affecting students' knowledge, entertainment and concentration scores are:

1- Preparing the correct lesson plan,

2- Dealing correctly with misbehaviors

3- Doing technology tasks on time

4- Eye contact with students

At the end of the game, a detailed report and summative feedback about players’ actions are presented. In the report, every player’s choice is recorded and appraised.

SimInClass - Image credit: Simsoft Technologies