Ministry of Education in Bahrain is getting a step further towards improving education in Bahrain. These changes starts from shifting from teacher directed style to student centered learning. To achieve this goal my role as a teacher is to utilize the means that enforce the student centered learning in my lesson such as using games or simulations, Web Quest, Inquiry Based Learning and Mind Mapping. All these means support our schools to be a Learning Organization and support our students to be lifelong learners without neglecting the importance of the cyber safety to ensure the optimal utilization of the technology. In addition,   shifting to student centered learning   can be implemented after improving the curriculum and our students' assessments methods to reach to the desired point. But the question is, how can we accomplish all these thoughts without motivating the teachers in order to be energized towards these changes?



Game, Simulation & Virtual Reality

Educational games present the complex realities of simultaneous interactive processes more accurately and effectively than serial processes such as lecturing and reading. Objectives of educational gaming are to motivate students by presenting relevant and realistic problems and to induce more efficient and active understanding of information. Games are efficient learning devices because they allow three levels of learning to occur simultaneously without ability grouping of students. These levels are (1) efficient learning of facts, (2) learning of cause and effect relationships by substituting gaming for personal experience, and (3) learning of strategic thinking concepts by considering results of alternative courses of action. Games focus on reality but are combinations of skill, chance, reality, and fantasy.

These links consist of  online examples of games & simulations:

v  http://www.youdagames.com/online-simulation-games/

(Virtual Professions)

This website has a lot of online simulation games. Those games enable you to act in  a virtual life some of real life professions such as Farmers , Waitress , Barber..etc.

v  http://www.download-free-games.com/pc/euro_truck_simulator.htm

(Driving a truck)

v  http://www.ecafaros.com/

( Driving car/ plane Simulation)

This is a very easy to understand/learn type of game. There are plenty of challenges, while overall remaining a fun game. If you like driving simulations (not racing/destroying cities) then you’ll love this game. And the graphics are outstanding. And to show the realism .

v  http://www.download-free-games.com/simulation/deer_hunter_2005.htm

( Hunting Game)

With any hunting simulation game, one of the most important aspects to success is a good AI to drive the behavior of the animals. Just like in real life, they have extremely keen senses of sight and smell. If you're not careful, they hear you and escape long before you can see them. If you approach from the wrong direction, they catch your scent on the wind and bolt.

v  http://www.download-free-games.com/pc/life_quest.htm

            ( Life Quest)

Earn life skills by enjoying simple pleasures such as eating and resting, but don't forget to pay the bills. Design your own unique character, clothing, and home in this fun and exciting game as you race to the finish.