Evaluations of EnTeam Programs
Resolving conflicts peacefully by building skills in collaboration
After-school program for students in elementary and middle schools
Principal investigator: Satabdi Samtani, Ph.D., Center for Character and Citizenship, University of Missouri-St. Louis
Students who play EnTeam Games learn to resolve conflicts peacefully according to staff at 27 after-school sites. EnTeam facilitators conducted four demonstration workshops with the students and staff at each site. In the workshops, students played a series of collaborative games. During the games, conflicts arose among players. Between games however, the students had time to think together and plan how to improve their score. They celebrated when their combined scores improved. Staff continued using the games with the students. The result is that over 85% of the staff at the after-school sites agreed that the students learned to resolve conflicts peacefully. See more details here.
Increasing Academic Success by Gamifying 8th Grade Science
Middle School Science
Principal investigator: James Gilsinan, Ph.D., St. Louis University
The number of students who test at the advanced and proficient levels of academic achievement increases significantly when math and science lessons are taught in cooperative learning games. A two-year study found that the percentage of 8th grade students who tested at the advanced or proficient level nearly doubled when the science lessons were taught using EnTeam Games.
Building bridges connecting diverse schools
Four elementary schools in collaboration to develop inclusion and respect among students with the support of teachers and parents
Principal investigator: Dr. Peggy Neufeld, professor at Washington University
Beginning in 2002, students and their teachers and parents from four faith-based schools – Muslim, Jewish, and Christian (Catholic and Protestant) – have played EnTeam cooperative games to develop understanding and collaboration among the players. Students accomplish goals collaboratively with the support of teachers and parents despite their differences in culture and beliefs. By playing EnTeam Games, students see they can be good neighbors even though they may disagree on important issues. See the full report for the description of the improvements in attitudes and respect among students and adults from the different communities.
Students lead academic games — and test scores improve
In classes where older students lead younger students in EnTeam math games, the number of students who solve problems at the advanced and proficient level increases more than in schools where older students do not lead EnTeam math games. This was the experience at Koch Elementary School compared to similar schools in the Riverview Gardens School District in Missouri. You can see the findings and data here.
Students Strengthen Math Skills by Playing EnTeam Cooperative Games
Ninth Grade Math
Principal investigator Dr. Corey Drake, Associate Professor of Education at University of Missouri – St. Louis
Excerpts from her report:
“EnTeam activities were helpful in reinforcing content because the students enjoyed the games, engaged in them, and worked diligently to improve their EnTeam scores while also working on math problems. EnTeam activities can be used effectively for reinforcing some traditional curricular concepts such as times tables. Teachers agreed that EnTeam was helpful with reinforcing lessons.
“EnTeam activities focus on win-win situations rather than win-lose situations by scoring cooperation rather than competition. Through the use of EnTeam activities, students build skills to work together more productively and increase achievement.
“Moreover, a major point learned from this study was that EnTeam is a supplementary educational resource that assists teachers with teaching cooperation and reinforcing content through experiential activities and stimulating discussions. These EnTeam activities and discussions encourage students to score cooperation rather than competition and to think collaboratively.”