The Importance of African Board Gaming In Education

The Importance of African Board Gaming In Education

When asked about learning, many people always think about a classroom and a teacher. With plenty of skills we learn when we are kids and adults, most are acquired outside classroom settings. Some of the processes we receive the skills include involving oneself in community projects, having a conversation with peers, and also at the playground. Researchers and educators, over time, realize the chance of enhancing their knowledge when outside class; hence people are integrating such to become class-based learning familiarity.

Well, games, in general, are seen to provide a learning space among students. The main reason is that students are in a position of developing non-cognitive abilities, for example, being patient and becoming disciplined, which is crucial in enhancing one’s career and success in life. Moreover, gameplay enhances various cognitive skills, which include problem-solving and critical thinking abilities. Over the years, Africa has been recognized to possess gameplay abilities, which is highly noted back from the pre-colonial period. Board games have been used in teaching processes and reinforcing values such as motor and cognitive skills.

For some time now, games are durable social fabric among many African societies. For instance, the Morabaraba gaming board was used in sharing livestock herding techniques in parts like South Africa, which was used in analyzing war strategies. Moreover, according to research, the Oware has been used by the Ashanti ruler Katakyie Opoku Ware in the 1700s as a way of handling marriage matters. Currently, board games still play a significant role in African culture.

Despite the increasing number of scholars all around the world link up together so that they can play and learn. Still, the understanding of the African board games remains untouched. Well, according to research done by educators, innovative uses of games always are seen to have a crucial role in formal education. It is also seen in custom writing service were some aspects that involve gaming; hence such should be highlighted.

H2: Same but Different

In this article, the board games focused include the Bao (Tanzania), Oware (Ghana), Morabaraba (South Africa), and the Omweso (Uganda). Once you break down and analyze the policies of the game, and how the rules have been applied. There is quick identification of learning results regarding the mechanics of the game.

All these games are referred to be strategic games since they all involve critical thinking, and people need to be decisive. All except Morabaraba are entirely drawn from a family of gaming known as the Mancala. Besides, board games must be seen as original and different. Every one of it comprises its mechanics; hence there is a need for the involvement of fundamental skills, which brings in typical learning results. For this reason, it is seen that games can be excellent tools in helping children learn a set of skills when in school.

H3: The “Oware”

Oware is recognized to be the most played African board gaming globally; hence its rules reveal excellent learning potential. It is made up of 12 holes, with 48 pebbles that have been distributed equally amid two players. The stones are therefore placed simultaneously in holes by participants playing. The main objective of the game has 25 stones in possession. Hence players should play strategically and use accurate techniques.

During the process of playing, Oware players develop great thinking and arithmetic abilities. Moreover, skills like communication, patience, negotiation, and spatial thinking skills are among the learning outcome it assists. However, the mechanics revealed by Oware proves to be useful when studying biology in classroom settings.

The life cycle of each cell is accounted for by events that result in division and replication of cells, hence the game is seen to be very useful. The capability of games like the Oware is still to be uncovered. However, the game can be used in introducing students to the latest concepts, which may improve their understanding due to familiarity with the game. For this reason, learning is made to be enjoyable and fun.