What education professionals think of About Time

Here are some selected quotes demonstrating the positive response About Time™ has enjoyed from the education sector.

About Time™ was developed with the help of teachers and students from its early days, and, as these quotes show, it has plenty of potential as a tool for educators in the humanities.

Tom Deveson, education writer, The Times, TES:

“I’ve enjoyed playing the game and I believe it will encourage students to think more about the vital topic of chronology – all those questions that confuse many of them, like ‘what happened when?‘, ‘what happened around the same time?‘ and ‘did x happen before or after y?’ or even ‘what century was that in?’“

Dave Futter, Head of History, Steyning Grammar School, West Sussex

“The game has an immediate relevance to the KS5 History classroom as it encourages students to think synoptically. History modules often require students to focus on a particular theme or time period. Accordingly, a student may become very knowledgeable about Communist rule in Russia during the 20th century, but still be relatively weak at making synoptic links to other features of 20th century history. The About Time™ game is a fun way of introducing students to other key events / inventions / cultural developments that happened during the time period that they are studying. With a little preparation a teacher could tailor a game to only focus on the time period being studied.

Alternatively, a History teacher could use the game to help students gain a clearer understanding of chronology. This can only benefit a History student as all exam boards recognise the skill of making historical comparisons across time. The About Time™ game could be used to make fun starter or plenary activities. Equally, the About Time™ game would be a good addition to a school’s Humanities club, Politics club or debating society.”

Students at Steyning Grammar School who played About Time, as quoted in the Sussex County Times:

“I am very impressed – it could have gained some inspiration from Trivial Pursuit, but it is a very different model.

It is fun – you are learning lots of interesting facts and it’s unlike any other board game.

It is actually good fun – you just have a good time with your friends trying to think of all the different answers and dates.”

John Oram, head of history, Fortismere School, Haringey, London

“[You'd think] in the electronic age that board games are going to be difficult to get across to the kids, particularly at that age, but I don’t think it seemed to be that way. They did seem to like it.”

Jane Garfield, Secondary School Teacher, North London

“It really makes you think… It makes you look at the big picture. It’s fun, it’s exciting.”