FootGaming and Peer Mediation

Peer Mediation is a process where student mediators work with middle, high and sometimes upper elementary school peers who have had a disagreement.  In many cases, the disputants have the opportunity to sit face to face and talk so each person is heard.  After the issue is defined, the disputants work together to see if they can find solutions to the conflict.  When agreement is reached, it is written out and signed.   An adult is present during the mediation but only serves as an observer.

The goals of peer mediation are:

  • For disputants to understand and respect different views;
  • To open and improve communication;
  •  To develop cooperation in solving a common problem
  •   To reach agreements that address the interest of both sides.

 Imagine how incredible it would be if the disputants could arrive at the discussion stage in a calm demeanor with stress and anger at low levels and overall mood improved.  FootGaming with select PopCap games  can do exactly that.  We have spent a great deal of time studying the research of Dr. Carmen Russoniello of East Carolina University. (East Carolina Univ – Dr. C. Russoniello)

 You will love this story.  I was in a middle school and two very angry boys were delivered to the guidance counselor for conflict mediation and a report on the fight they just had.  I had just set up Peggle in the media center (you can try the game for free at www.popcap.com).  I asked the counselor if I could take the boys there and let them play for 10 minutes as she was too busy to see them right then.  She said, fine.  The boys knew me a little bit because I had been in their class, just the same they were hot headed as I set them up to play.  They each moved on their individual FootPOWR pads. They played Peggle  for about 9 minutes when the counselor came back.

 She couldn’t believe what she saw.  The boys were calmly playing, moving rhythmically to the sound of the Peggle ball dropping through the pegs. They were smiling. It's hard not to with the calming graphics and great music that accompanies the game.
 
When asked to sit down and write their report of the conflict that had lead to a scuffle just 15 minutes before they both agreed that they had “just gotten mad.” They apologized to each other calmly – and calmly again – discussed a better way to resolve issues like that when they came up.  The boys walked back to class agreeably talking, their demeanor was relaxed and calm. The combination of select PopCap titles and the rhythmic physical activity has been proven to reduce stress, improve mood and alleviate anger  
Often, the negative behaviors that are so consistently disruptive in a learning environment are simply the result of a student needing to move, wiggle and change position.  We have found that the students most challenged with sitting and focusing on work for longer than 15-20 minutes benefit most from FootGaming.
In class strategy: Making a "contract" to focus and work for 20 minutes then earning a 10 minute FootGaming break consistently improves not only behavior, but engagement, academic success and attendance!

Our goal: Provide leadership and collaborative practice for students in need of confidence and social skills – FootGaming delivers exactly that via leadership and solid understanding of the brain research behind FootGaming
• Decrease negative behaviors and increase attendance (28% on average)

FootGaming and Behavior Modification
 

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