Malang, August 2, 2024 – Three teachers from Insan Amanah Elementary School tried out board games at Piknik Hub Malang, together with Let’s Play Indonesia, to gain inspiration in the hope that classroom learning can be more interactive.
Accompanied by two facilitators from Let’s Play Indonesia, the three teachers from SD Insan Amanah were able to try out several games. “Roughly speaking, they came looking for inspiration or references to create digital or non-digital games about tourism. Perhaps about two to three games will be played today,” said Istivano, a facilitator from Let’s Play Indonesia who was present to assist the session.
The three teachers from SD Insan Amanah were advised to play two types of games named Butterfly and Parks. According to the teachers’ requests, Ahdan, another facilitator who also served as the main guide for the session said, “Since these teachers want to participate in a competition at Ijen Geopark, which aims to create games related to biodiversity, so these two games seem to match the theme or requirements of the competition.” “By playing these two games, it is hoped that the three teachers can get ideas for games related to nature and biodiversity,” he added.
During the first game, namely Butterfly, the teachers appeared to enjoy it. While strategizing, each of them slowly managed to collect points.
One of the teachers present at the game session, named Ayu, commented, “I think this is something new, interesting, and as a Civics Education teacher, I think this could also be applied at school.”
“From a teacher’s perspective, we need to always develop our personal potential. If it is only from a technical aspect, the changes are not very significant. Therefore, studying board games that can be applied to student learning will be much more interesting,” Ayu added her opinion.
A bit different from Ayu’s opinion, another teacher named Endah had previously often played board games. Although this was not a new thing to her, Endah found the board games played in this session interesting. She said, “I do enjoy playing board games and often take my children to Tabletoys in Surabaya. When children play, they unconsciously absorb the knowledge conveyed. They understand more quickly because of hands-on practice.” Endah also added that playing board games is a method that can be used to explore children’s hidden potential. She was also the one who encouraged her colleagues to play in order to gain new inspiration.
After completing the first game, the Let’s Play Indonesia facilitators introduced a game called Parks. This game was introduced because it still has a theme related to nature. Compared to Butterfly, Parks is more complex and contains more elements.
By looking at the responses from the three teachers when playing board games, they looked more serious and occasionally a bit confused by the rules. Actually they were able to follow along and understand it, but it took time to strategize while waiting for their turn to play.
After playing the second game, a teacher named Rizki shared his opinion, “Actually, both are very fun, but there’s a different response. The first one is fun because its application and mechanics are practical and quite simple.” For the first game, he is also added, “To train our critical thinking, strategy, and more sharply to the mathematical approach, this would be suitable for children. Or for students, I think it’s more suitable for elementary school students.”
Rizki also shared his impression about the Parks game. “The second game is similar, but the strategy is even deeper. It is more suitable for Junior High School students. The thinking process is more complex. There’s also a business element inside. Because it is complex, so the strategies used are more varied. I think adults will find it more exciting.”
Not far from Rizki’s impression, another teacher who also participated in the game, Endah, added her impressions, “Actually, both are okay; the first (Butterfly) is simple, while the second (Parks) requires more thinking. The game that requires more thinking is actually fun, but everyone is different, right? Preferences are vary. So, I think both are interesting. However, the second game is more complex but enjoyable.”
Referring to the initial goal, Ayu, as a Civics Education teacher, said, “If we try using board games like this, they could be used as a reference. If we observe, imitate, and modify for the subjects I teach, perhaps they could be adapted as well.”
Supporting Ayu’s opinion, a teacher named Rizki also said, “It seems like this type of learning method could be applied to Social Studies and Civics Education. Because it feels like an adventure game. It seems like it could be used for elementary school students.”
After both games were played, the reflection session marked the end of today’s game session.
What is the Butterfly Board Game?
Butterfly is a board game that can be played by 3 to 5 players. The game lasts approximately 30 minutes, with time adjustments based on the number of players. Butterfly can be played by players aged 8 and above. This game trains players to strategize in order to achieve the highest points. The game also applied simple math calculations. Butterfly is played until zero movement, when one player already reached the highest points and no other moves are possible to continue the game.
In this game, each player uses a hedgehog miniature, like a chess piece, to collect tiles (which will later count as the player’s points). Players can collect rare items and leave few options for their opponents. The player who successfully gathers the most valuable collection (obtains the most points) at the end of the game wins.
This game can be played by all ages. The easy-to-understand, engaging, and fun, make it suitable for playing with children as well as with family members. However, players who are already experienced can play it as a tactical battle by finding the right moves, optimizing the points earned, and easily outscoring other opponents.
What is the PARKS Board Game?
PARKS is a board game that can be played by 1 to 5 players. The game lasts approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour. Game time depends on how quickly a player manages to collect all elements. PARKS can be played by players aged 10 and above. However, according to Let’s Play Indonesia facilitators, PARKS is suitable for players aged 15 and above. In this game, players take on the role as hikers journeying through four different seasons. Along the way, players can collect memories of the places they are visiting. These memories are represented by various natural resource elements, such as mountains and forests. The player who collects the most memories is the winner.
PARKS trains players to strategize in collecting elements to visit tourist sites in America (the setting of PARKS). This game can be played in 3 rounds. The more rounds, the greater the challenge. However, if time is limited, one round is enough to introduce the game’s concept. PARKS is a game with many components. The maximum elements or resources each player can hold is 12 pieces.
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For further information about this event, please contact:
Let’s Play Indonesia
Email: info@letsplay.id
Phone: +62 857-3362-4943
