Chess as an extracurricular activity

Martinović, Saša. (2018). Chess as an extracurricular activity. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Pedagogy. [mentor Markić, Ivan].

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Abstract

Due to its pedagogic potential, chess is increasingly often used as an educational tool and is taught in schools worldwide. Croatia is following this trend and implements chess in many schools as an extracurricular activity. The aim of this paper was to investigate the current situation regarding chess in schools in Zagreb. All 108 public elementary schools in the capital of Croatia were contacted and their pedagogical documentation was examined. It was found that chess as an extracurricular activity was implemented in 32 schools. Using questionnaires and interviewing chess teachers, data were obtained that help us to understand the current situation regarding chess in schools and also give us guidelines to improve the practice. Taking into account the benefits that playing chess may have on students, more efforts should be made in order to include chess as an extracurricular activity in as much schools as possible. Results have shown that the main obstacle in achievement of aforementioned objective is lack of well educated chess teachers. Nowadays, chess is taught mostly by teachers - "chess enthusiasts" and rarely by external associates. Taking this into account, the main challenge is how to help schools without chess-educated teachers to implement chess into curricular system. Lack of technical equipment is another obstacle that arises in some schools. However, this obstacle should be overcome as the financial requirements for chess are moderate. Therefore, help of the Ministry of Education and local community is recommended.

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