Reconceptualizing Teacher Professional Development: Game-Based Learning for 21st-Century Competencies

• In Event: Emerging Teacher Professional Development Models Using Technology

Abstract

21st century competencies (21cc) refer to knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to be competitive in the 21st century workforce. However, textbooks and didactic teaching cannot impart these abilities. Instead, 21cc are developed via sustained practices (Gee, 2004) where targeted skills are sharpened via guided participation (Rogoff, 2003). Game-based learning provides one medium for 21cc education in terms of its designed experiences. However, teachers are less familiar with the affordances of games for learning, largely due to the design of existing professional development (PD) models that aims to teaching contents rather than designing learning experiences. This research study sought to provide a clearer understanding of how teacher PD may be re-conceptualized and improved, particularly pertaining to game-based learning for 21cc.

Authors

• Matthew Gaydos, National Institute of Education - Nanyang Technological University

• Wei Leng Neo, National Institute of Education - Nanyang Technological University

• Mingfong Jan, National Central University - Taiwan