|
|
Can a card game really improve our pupils'
performance in school?
|
The educational benefits
of Minibridge are still to be categorically proven. But various
sources and
statisitics and growing anecdotal
evidence strongly suggest that it is only a matter of
time before this proof is found.
In the meantime we can suggest the
following as a summary of some of the principle features of Minibridge
and their probable link to key skills
|
Element of
Minibridge
|
|
|
Counting Cards / High Card
Points
|
Arithmetic
|
|
Playing with a Partner
|
Teamwork
|
|
Effective Card Play Strategy
|
Sequencing
Logical Thinking
Lateral Thinking
Problem Solving
|
|
Explaining and Justifying
Actions
|
Language and
Communication
|
|
Obtaining Best Possible
Outcomes
|
Concentration
Focus
Working Memory
Handling Data
|
|
Adhering to Rules of Play
|
Self-Discipline
|
|
So what will it cost us to have Minibridge delivered
at our school?
|
As a result of the English Bridge Union securing national funding for
free Staff Trainings and teaching materials, from September 2008;
nothing. See the Minibridge
Promotion Pack.
|
We are interested but have no funding. What do you
suggest?
|
Sign
your school up to take advantage of the national funding
now available.
|
Our school has no Bridge-playing staff members -
does that mean we cannot attend a Staff Training?
|
Mr
Minibridge has developed an inter-active Teachers' CD
which will introduce the game to both staff and pupils as well as
provide essential problem solving to improve skills
and undertstanding of the strategic elements of the game without
need for previous Bridge-playing experience.
This CD is available to
participating schools under the funded scheme and can be used on a free
two-year trial licence.
It is necessary under the terms and conditions of the funding to
provide access to the vital new resource: the Teachers'
inter-active CD.
|
I have no card playing skills.
How am I qualified to supervise my children playing Minibridge?
|
Minibridge is an activity. It is not a field of study. You are
qualified to supervise them playing Minibridge just as you are
qualified to supervise them swimming or playing football without
actually being able to do either of these activities yourself.
They will learn as they play. The personal and
educational benefits will accrue far more from the opportunity to
practise (just as in swimming or football) than from direct teacher
input. This is the ultimate in pupil-centred learning.
In case of requiring specific tasks for more
gifted pupils, the Teachers' CD
will provide problem solving exercises and quizzes for a more
coordinated learning programme.
|
What Differentiation does Minibridge permit after
Training?
|
Minibridge will allow a Differentiation along the following lines:
For the less gifted:
(a) Basic
Problem Solving in the classroom
(b) Basic Counting and Sequencing
(c) Language and Communication for
S.E.A.L (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning)
(d) Coping with educational difficulities such as:
Dyslexia
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder
Short-Term Memory Deficit
Emotional or Behavioural
Difficulties
For the more gifted or
enthusiastic
(c) Advanced Problem Solving
in the classroom
(d) Progression towards
Bridge
(e) Inter-class or Inter-School local, regional or national Competition
|
What is Minibridge Advanced and how do we incorporate it?
|
It is merely the addition
of trump play to basic Minibridge. It is an essential
stepping stone towards the implementation of Bridge and
recommended for secondary level.
|
When and how should we move children on to Bridge?
|
Basically, at primary or elementary level, Bridge is not recommended.
There will be exceptions (for example when a Bridge playing staff
member introduces Bridge to Year 6 (age 11) after a group of talented
and enthusiastic players have been identified after at least one year
of Minibridge in school.
|
What is Advanced Card Play ?
|
In effect, it is card play for Bridge. This provides extra dimensions
for studies in problem solving
both inside and outside the classroom
Advanced Card Play for Bridge is the subject of materials
specially prepared and designed for use in school by Bridge-playing
staff members or local Bridge teacher attending either on a voluntary
or professional basis.
|
Do you have more detailed information on
Curriculum Links for Minibridge?
|
Yes, we have a detailed report which you can
download on the elements of Minibridge and how they can be tied in to
curriculum requirements in Maths and English at primary level. We are
also preparing a report on the S.E.A.L relevance of Minibridge. to be
uploaded early in 2010.
|
Minibridge - Bridge : What is the Difference?
|
Bridge has a complex preamble to the card play (the Auction), which is
based in a language or system of calls or announcements that requires a
substantial period of time to learn (several years in many cases) and
whose complexity puts many children off even trying it. There is a
complicated scoring system which also takes time to learn.
The equivalent in Minibridge of the Bridge Auction is a simple preamble
in which players count up and announce their High Card Points
and work out the targets for each team from a simple list of Trick Targets. The scoring
system could not be easier: the winners in the card play score one play
point and play another deal.
In the play of the cards,
Minibridge and Bridge are the same game.
This means that Minibridge gives virtually instant access to the world
of problem solving at
Bridge as well as allowing a smooth transition
into Bridge.
This also means that Minibridge
allows the full range of educational
benefits which accrue essentially from the play of the
cards.
|
What about the danger of addiction to Minibridge or
gambling?
|
This is unheard of so far and extremely unlikely to happen. For many
reasons.
Firstly, those who become addicted
to anything tend to have addictive personalities. Minibridge might
possibly save this type of person from finding an addiction elsewhere
in less educational or socially acceptable ways.
Secondly, Minibridge is an educational resource
of immense potential as well as a key stepping stone to Bridge, a mind
sport of the highest order. Gambling at such an activity is about as
likely as gambling at Chess or Scrabble!
Thirdly, Minibridge is also a social game. Gamblers tend to be
anti-social types who are more interested in the thrill of winning or
the risk of losing than making friends or challenging their brain power
in team or partnership games.
|
