Practicing Planning Skills with Splashy Dots and Workflowy
Strong planning skills mean thinking about how to complete a task before attempting to begin it. In this workshop, our expert Gamer Guides introduce LW4K Explorers to a game and an app to practice identifying an end goal and then plotting the necessary steps to achieve it.
Overview
This workshop focuses on the skill of planning. Kids with good Planning skills combine school and social activities without getting overwhelmed by stress, tend to be good at scheduling activites, can anticipate the tools necessary to successfully complete a task and prioritize their activities effectively.
When playing games, players are asked to develop strategies to accomplish a variety of goals. Strategizing how to solve a puzzle in the fewest possible moves or build your village’s economy while keeping it safe builds many of the same skills we need to plan an essay, prepare for a school trip, or plan a group project. Playing games can help improve Planning by allowing the practice of this skill while in the midst of a fun and immersive experience. Great planning games focus on the sequencing of activities, setting goals, and anticipating the future.
Learn More about Skill
Games and Apps Used in this Workshop
When a game board first opens up, the player will see many different ways to connect the dots. To solve the problem presented by each board, the player must connect the dots (without going diagonally), starting at the black dot, and ending at the open circle. To be successful, the player must plan multiple steps ahead (like in chess) in order to solve the puzzle quickly and move on to the next level. Without exercising the planning skill, the player can get stuck on a level and be unable to advance.
Learn More about Game
Splashy Dots Mac/iOS Download
Splashy Dots Android Download
Workflowy can help to make the process of planning out tasks and event easier. Users can jot down ideas directly on their lists, helping them prepare ideas and materials ahead of time. All content from Workflowy can be edited and accessed remotely, affording users the opportunity to use the app via desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. The app can also be used like a checklist or daily planner, where users can cross out activities that they complete throughout the day, keeping them up to date with their schedule.
Learn More about Game
Work Flowy Mac/iOS Download
Work Flowy Android Download
Workshop Schedule
To join the live session, simply select the appropriate date and time below, then click on the Join Live Session button. If this is your child’s first session, please make sure to view and follow our setup instructions below.
Welcome to the LearningWorks Time Management Workshop
For LearningWorks Live’s Time Management workshop you will need a Tablet, Phone, or Computer that has the ability to run Zoom and a device (can be the same one or a separate) that has access to the Google Play or Apple App store.
We recommend a pair of headphones with a mic as well. As listening to our Gamer-Guides over Zoom will be required for the session and a device where we can hear your child respond back is preferred.
Install Zoom to connect to our Session
Our Executive Functions Workshops will be powered by the online meeting software Zoom. To download Zoom, click here. Follow the appropriate steps for your device.
If you have an Android device, download the Zoom app in the Google Play store. Open Google Play. Search for “ZOOM Cloud Meetings.” Download the application.
If you have an Apple device, download the Zoom app in the App Store. Open the App Store. Search for “ZOOM Cloud Meetings.” Download
Download the Game & App of the day!
Each one of our workshops will include a game and/or app of the day. This will be listed in the specific Session’s “Info for Parents”. We expect every child to have it downloaded and good to go beforehand to keep the session rolling smoothly. All of these apps will be available in the Google Play or Apple App stores.
Become familiar with Zoom
To join Zoom meeting: Click the link in the invitation email. A new window will pop up. Kids will be prompted to choose phone audio or computer audio; choose appropriate type for the device.
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-How-Do-I-Join-A-Meeting-
For students to access Whiteboard: Go to “Sharing” on top of the screen. Click on “Annotate” to be able to write/draw on Whiteboard; in this manner, all Explorers will be able to participate. If your child is accessing the Zoom meeting on a tablet, go to the lower right of the screen and click on the “pencil” icon.
Please note: If your child abuses their Whiteboard privileges, the host will disable their ability to annotate on the Whiteboard.
To “raise your hand”: Click on “participants” at the bottom of your screen. A sidebar will pop up on the right side showing participants in the zoom meeting. Click on your own name. At the bottom of the screen, click on “raise hand.” This will allow your Learning Works for Kids hosts to know you are back on the Whitescreen after playing your game.
Information on Attendee Controls in Zoom Meeting: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/200941109-Attendee-Controls-in-a-Meeting
Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions.
Zoom Meeting Reminders
One day before the scheduled Zoom meeting, you will receive an email with the link to the Zoom meeting for that week. The email will also serve as a meeting reminder for you and your child. Be sure to add [email protected] to your contact list to ensure that updates about our courses come to your inbox.
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Workshop Activities
The LW4K method to using video games as teaching tools relies on strategic teaching principles and our approach of “Detect, Reflect, and Connect.” The purpose of the Detect, Reflect, and Connect steps is to mold the child into an active learner who becomes aware of, engaged in, and contemplative of what she is learning. These steps can enhance motivation and concentration. They also assist in extending learning beyond a particular game or technology and connecting it to the real world.
After a brief introduction, explorers will have the opportunity to explore the tutorials and introductory levels of the game. A discussion will follow focusing on the different strategies individual players used to approach each level.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”Reflect” list_icon=”Defaults-wechat weixin”]Reflect or consider how the thinking skills used during gameplay helps them to achieve their goals.
With these strategies in mind, explorers can return to the game to either refine their strategy or employ a fellow explorer’s method. After a short period of play, we continue with a group discussion to further reflect on the benefits and drawbacks of various strategies used by the group.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”Connect” list_icon=”Defaults-refresh”]Connect or apply game-based thinking skills to real-world activities.
The group discussion will move on to how these same strategies can be used for achieving goals outside of the game. During the discussion, we will introduce an app that can help explorers plan for school and extracurricular activities.[/info_list_item][/info_list]
Follow-Up Activities
[bsf-info-box icon=”Defaults-check” icon_size=”32″ icon_color=”#1e73be” title=”Activity #1″ pos=”left” title_font=”font_family:PT Sans|font_call:PT+Sans” title_font_size=”desktop:20px;”]Practice with a workflowy by first outlining the steps to something you know how to do like make the bed, build a sand castle, wash a load of laundry, etc. Experiment with the apps different icons and functions to best represent your plan.[/bsf-info-box][bsf-info-box icon=”Defaults-check” icon_size=”32″ icon_color=”#1e73be” title=”Activity #2″ pos=”left” title_font=”font_family:PT Sans|font_call:PT+Sans” title_font_size=”desktop:20px;”]If you have an upcoming test or project, plan out the steps needed in workflowy to help you set out a strategy to achieve your goal. Consider adding due dates to help you stay on track![/bsf-info-box][bsf-info-box icon=”Defaults-check” icon_size=”32″ icon_color=”#1e73be” title=”Activity #3″ pos=”left” title_font=”font_family:PT Sans|font_call:PT+Sans” title_font_size=”desktop:20px;”]Look further ahead to a far away goal like running a 7-minute mile or submitting a painting to an art competition. Put that goal at the top of your work flowy then break that goal into three steps and then break those steps into three more steps and so on. Keep breaking down your steps until each step can take less than 30 minutes.Submit a painting to ArtCON
- Get the painting materials
- Make a list of the materials I need
- Look up how much each item costs
- Do chores to earn money for materials
- Ask Dad to take me to the art store
- Buy materials
- Paint the picture
- decide what to paint
- make a drawing to practice
- Paint 30 minutes, 3 times a week
- Submit to the competition
- Register my name for the competition
- Mail in my painting
- Pay the registration fees