Return to Front Page of  School of Nursing

As a 'classroom teacher,' I often think to myself that I would like to get my students up out of their seats, away from the mesmerizing blue glow of those laptop screens, where the student sits passively, sometimes paying attention, oftentimes 'free fairing' and web browsing!  Interesting that so many people think that they are 'multi-tasking,' when in fact they aren't paying attention.  All of that task-switching may serve to prevent information from being converted from 'random access memory,' i.e. short term memory.'  If one could just process that information so that it goes from short term through the hippocampus to the declarative form of knowledge, then perhaps that information will stick, and be available for future reference.......or so the theory goes.  Maybe this tactic might work for some, or perhaps even for most.

This page is devoted to the development of a (hopefully) fun learning and engaging game--a test of skill, knowledge, and chance-- that I am developing, called "It's All About...."   I call it that, because you can design the game to cover which ever areas you need to cover, either for discovery, or for review. 

So far, over the past couple of years, I have used the game as a review in such courses as Health Assessment, Pharmacology, Adult Health, Maternal-Child Health, and Pediatrics.  It can be adapted to fit just about any topic where you need to "Q and A."

More pictures and information to follow.............................................................................................

'It's All About.........' is a multi-player / team game.  There can be as few as one (1) and/or as many as five (5) categories of questions based upon the card suites (Diamonds, Hearts, Clubs, Spades, and Jokers) , developed by the instructor.  For example, Diamonds may be designated as Cardiovascular Topics, Hearts may be related to Respiratory topics, and so on.  Question sets ( see example ) are developed for topics as desired, and either read aloud, or shown via the projector onto the screen.

The object of the game is to proceed from the start (Superior vena cava) to the lungs, to the finish (oxygenate the Brain).  In order to progress, the team rolls the dice, and may proceed for the number of spaces that they rolled, providing that they answer the question correctly.  After rolling the dice, the team draws a random card, and the suit shown on the card tells us what set / category of question is asked.  Players are required to stand and interact, with team mates, for the duration of the game.  Each team selects one spokesperson, who is the only one allowed to answer the question, after consulting with team members.  Clipboards are provided so that notes may be taken, if desired.

Course / Question Sets:

Health Assessment

Fundamentals of Nursing

Pharmacology

Adult Health I

Maternal Child Health

Pediatrics

Adult Health II