Mind games, reasoning skills, and the primary school curriculum

Abstract

This paper reports on a pilot research project aimed at helping to develop some strategic and reasoning abilities in primary school pupils by engaging them in educational itineraries based on the use of a number of computer mind games. The paper briefly describes the project’s aims and organization, the kind of games used and the working methodology adopted. It then focuses on some of the cognitive abilities activated by the games. Finally, some pedagogical considerations derived from the study are provided which may support teachers and researchers who are interested in this topic and need some practical advice and recommendations on introducing games in classroom activities.

Notes

1. Carried out by INVALSI, the Italian Educational Evaluation Institute.

2. Performed through a Likert scale from 1 to 5.

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5. Available online at http://www.brickshooter.com (accessed May 2006).

6. Available online at http://www.itd.cnr.it/sodilinux (accessed May 2006).

7. Available online at http://www.tucows.com/preview/292226 (accessed May 2006).

8. http://www.invalsi.it (accessed May 2006).

9. The different ranks are determined by the INVALSI assessment plan: low rank: 0 ≤ score ≤ 58; low–medium rank: 58 < score ≤ 79; medium–high rank: 79 < score ≤ 86; high rank: 86 < score ≤ 100.