A special education classroom in the Bancroft School at Welsh Campus is experiencing a transformation, thanks to an unexpected tool: the Xbox Kinect. The class is led by Rachel Campbell and is made up of students with autism and/or other intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), ages 16 to 19.
Rachel originally asked for the gaming console to help her students with fitness goals, but soon discovered that it was a virtual wellspring of learning opportunities. Through the Xbox Kinect, her students are learning social skills, self-help skills, sportsmanship, emotional regulation, problem-solving skills, spatial awareness, reading comprehension and more.
From Competition to Cooperation
The journey wasn’t always smooth sailing, however. When it first came into the classroom in October of 2023, there was a lot of competition and frustration.
“When we first got it, it was very competitive,” said Rachel. “We had some moments where some of the kids wanted to walk out because they were really frustrated.”
Rachel persevered. She established clear rules, emphasizing good sportsmanship, patience and safe behavior. Slowly, a shift began. Students learned to express their frustrations in a healthy way, requesting breaks or communicating their emotions. With the help of modeling, they even started cheering each other on and celebrating each other’s victories.
Learning Through Play
The Xbox Kinect is equipped with motion-sensing technology and gets the students moving without feeling like they’re exercising. Reading comprehension comes into play as they decipher on-screen instructions.
The Xbox also fosters self-help skills. When the students are tired, they ask to take breaks. When they don’t understand something, they ask staff or a fellow student for help.
You need spatial awareness to play Xbox Kinect. You have to be able to gauge where and how the motion sensors can pick up your body movements. Plus, you need to be aware that you won’t accidentally hit or kick your fellow classmate when you’re playing the game together. This has helped the students better understand personal space and personal boundaries.
Rachel has also been able to incorporate purchasing and decision-making skills into the Xbox Kinect. Students are given a budget and go online to find games the school will approve and the whole class will enjoy. On “Xbox day,” the students vote for which game they’ll play.
They’ve also developed patience as they wait for their turn, especially on days when they invite students from other classes to play. Playing with the other students has fostered more social interaction, both inside and outside the classroom.
Coping Skills and Learning to Lose
There are some games Rachel has had to say ‘no’ to, such as NBA 2K for instance. Students don’t always get their first choice when voting for the game they want to play that day. These are all natural teaching moments to help the students learn valuable coping skills.
Rachel also places value in teaching her students how to lose and have good sportsmanship. It took a lot of modeling and reinforcement, but now they cheer each other on and lose graciously – most of the time!
Alternative Learning Wins
This experience serves as a testament to the power of alternative learning methods. Rachel’s creativity in utilizing the platform demonstrates how educators can think outside the box and leverage students’ interests to create engaging learning experiences. Fun, play, and even a healthy dose of friendly competition can become powerful tools for skill development.
The transformation of Rachel’s class underscores how incorporating alternative methods can not only enhance learning, but also create a more positive and engaging environment for all students.
At Bancroft, we are dedicated to being at the forefront of innovative instruction and therapeutic interventions for individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our approach includes individualized programs, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), recreation and enrichment, life and job skills training, as well as preparation for transition and beyond. Learn more about our special education programs and how they can help your child thrive.
