by Melissa
Keyes DiGioia,CSE & Jessica Shields, CHES
“Through play we learn to recognize patterns in the world
around us and develop our own understanding as well as shared understanding
with others.”1
Like other sexuality educators we were initially
unaware of the potential of this medium as a teaching strategy. When we
presented games, we recognized that audiences responded comfortably to the
sexuality content. We also noticed that individuals were eager to participate
and demonstrate the knowledge or skill they were retaining. Game
On! is a culmination of what we have come to understand – that the
underlying factor (or pattern) for all of these outcomes was the use of a game
format.
Games are useful pedagogical techniques
for educators and audiences alike. For educators, the format of a game can
appeal to different learning styles. They can be used as a means to motivate
audience participation, determine gaps and confirm strengths in knowledge or
skills, review and link concepts, and relate information to new situations.2,3
For participants, games allow them to practice self-regulation, social skills,
and decision-making, acquire and apply knowledge and skills, maintain
attention, engage in logical thinking and problem solving, and collaborate with
peers.4 In health education, using games increases
participant confidence to apply new knowledge, which leads to improved
health behaviors resulting in better health.5,6
According to the World Health Organization,
“sexual health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being in relation
to sexuality; It requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and
sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe
sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence.7”
Providing appropriate education about sexuality and personal relationships is
vital for people to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to be sexually
healthy. Game On! is our pedagogical approach to sexual
health promotion. In conjunction with our talented contributing authors, the
guide contains 19 lessons and a section of ready to use word puzzles that cover fundamental
sexuality topics critical for sexual health promotion such as: communication,
healthy relationships, anatomy, pregnancy prevention, STI prevention,
decision-making, and sexual health care. Each lesson
has specific objectives in which participants will review or reinforce
knowledge, practice skills, or examine attitudes and beliefs that are intended
to expand the comprehension of sexuality and/or sexual health content.
1Kirkley,
S.E., Tomblin, S., & Kirkley, J. (2005) Instructional design authoring
support for the development of serious games and mixed reality training. In
Proceedings of the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education
Conference (I/ITSEC). Arlingon, VA: National Defense Industrial Association.
2Gredler,
M. E. (2003). Games and simulations and their relationships to learning. In D.
Jonassen (Ed.), Handbook of research for
educational communications and technology (2nd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence
Erlbaum Associates.
3Westera,
W., Nadolski, R.J., Hummel, H.G.K., & Wopereis, I.G.J.H. (2008).
Serious games for higher education: a framework for reducing design
complexity. Journal of Computer
Assisted Learning, 24(5), 420-432.
4De
Freitas, S. & Jarvis, S. (2007). Serious games—engaging
training solutions: A research and development project for supporting training
needs. British Journal of Educational Technology, 38(3), 523-525.
5Lieberman, D. A. (2001). Management of chronic pediatric diseases
with interactive health games: Theory and research findings. Journal of
Ambulatory Care Management, 24(1):
26- 38.
6Yoon, S. &
Godwin, A. (2007). Enhancing self-Management
in children with sickle cell disease through playing a CD-ROM educational game:
A pilot study. Pediatric Nursing,
33(1): 60-72.
7World Health
Association. (2010). Developing sexual
health programmes: A framework for action. Geneva, Switzerland. Retrieved
from
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2010/WHO_RHR_HRP_10.22_eng.pdf
