This was indeed an excellent and original idea which can most certainly lessen the anxiety associated with learning the mechanics of writing standard grammar. To many individuals learning the standard way of writing grammar creates anxious and perplexing feelings that make one's skin sweat, head ache and fingers twitch, effects very similar to those brought on by the task of learning geometry or trigonometry for those with mathphobia.
There will always be an occasion for students, professors and those needing to express a simple or complicated idea in writing to improve upon their grammar skills. The exasperating task of learning the diverse and complicated grammar rules and then mentally and visibly implementing them correctly can seemingly be more difficult than climbing Mount Everest. Therefore, any activity such as, your "grammar game" which eliminates the stress of learning grammar while also be engaging and stimulating can only be a grammar winning lottery experience of great writing fortune.
I think that students like games, and playing them in the traditional classroom can definitely work and be effective. I see some difficulty with this in the online environment, but the concept is great. Most people are familiar with Jeopardy, so I think that students will be able to relate to the game.
Thank you for your kindness and encouragement! Pinara, I love your description of how some may feel learning grammar" it makes "one's skin sweat, head ache, and fingers twitch" - brilliant image! (And, for me, DEFINITELY like mathphobia. :) Part of our goal was, indeed, trying to relieve stress...and to give students one more reason to check out the extra resources that are available to them. Indeed, having the resources is half the battle; giving students and unthreatening way to engage with them is the other half (there are probably more "halves," but, then again, I'm not great with math.)
3 Comments
This was indeed an excellent and original idea which can most certainly lessen the anxiety associated with learning the mechanics of writing standard grammar. To many individuals learning the standard way of writing grammar creates anxious and perplexing feelings that make one's skin sweat, head ache and fingers twitch, effects very similar to those brought on by the task of learning geometry or trigonometry for those with mathphobia.
There will always be an occasion for students, professors and those needing to express a simple or complicated idea in writing to improve upon their grammar skills. The exasperating task of learning the diverse and complicated grammar rules and then mentally and visibly implementing them correctly can seemingly be more difficult than climbing Mount Everest. Therefore, any activity such as, your "grammar game" which eliminates the stress of learning grammar while also be engaging and stimulating can only be a grammar winning lottery experience of great writing fortune.
I think that students like games, and playing them in the traditional classroom can definitely work and be effective. I see some difficulty with this in the online environment, but the concept is great. Most people are familiar with Jeopardy, so I think that students will be able to relate to the game.
Pinara and Kristen,
Thank you for your kindness and encouragement! Pinara, I love your description of how some may feel learning grammar" it makes "one's skin sweat, head ache, and fingers twitch" - brilliant image! (And, for me, DEFINITELY like mathphobia. :) Part of our goal was, indeed, trying to relieve stress...and to give students one more reason to check out the extra resources that are available to them. Indeed, having the resources is half the battle; giving students and unthreatening way to engage with them is the other half (there are probably more "halves," but, then again, I'm not great with math.)