18. February 2010 by admin.

Criteria for evaluating games in education
1. The game has an educationally-accessible context (historical, contemporary, hard science-fiction).
2. Game play has genuinely educationally-accessible content.
3. Success depends on intelligent choices and decisions.
4. Failure exists and teaches when it happens. It is possible to lose.
5. The tutorial is crystal clear, and checks for understanding.
6. There are multiple victory conditions.
7. The feedback model is short - students can quickly see how a decision effects a larger whole picture.
8. The game becomes increasingly challenging and difficult.
Taken from:
http://www.mackenty.org/index.php/site/comments/criteria_for_evaluating_games_in_education/

Websites of note:
http://digiplay.info/
Research papers and other publications on the topic of understanding digital games.

http://powerup.wikispaces.com/ -
Mark Wagner is completing his PhD.

http://www.furl.net/member/ewagner -
A list of educational games.

http://www.socialimpactgames.com/index.php -
Entertaining games with Non- Entertaining goals. (Serious Games)

Games:
Starfall (K- 2)
Multiflier (Gr. 3)
Plupon (3- 6 warm up)
Third World Farmer (Gr. 6-
Games for the Brain (Gr. 7-9)
‘Speare (Gr. 10- 12) password needed
Not a game- Game Maker (Gr. 8- 12)

Posted in Fun, Engagement, Games, Edutainment, Presentation | No Comments »

18. February 2010 by admin.

Recently I’ve bought some video games from Scholastic Canada. I want to use them in my classroom instruction but I need to examine them first. Here is the list of games I’m going to be covering. I’ll try to relate them to the Alberta Program of Studies as well as give them a ranking out of 4 for the ability to infuse stealth learning. I will also provide more information on each game’s publisher andgame play.

I’m more excited about some games than others. The games in this list are ranged from grades 4-6.

SimCity 4

Civilization 3

Majestic Chess

Lift Off

Mathematics Deluxe

Lemonade Tycoon

Oregon Trail 5th Edition

Star Trek StarShip Creator

Astro Algebra

Learn about Physical Science

Great Canadian Adventure

Typing Tutor Jr.

Vet Emergency

Roller Coaster Tycoon

Math for the Real World

Chemical Reaction

Games for Grades K-3 include…

I Love Spelling

I can Spell

Bob the Builder

The Cat in the Hat

Zoboomafoo, Animal Alphabet

Backyard Hockey

I Spy Junior

Clifford Thinking Adventures

Care Bears- Let’s have a ball.

Jump Start Explorers

Freddi Fish

Numbers Undercover

Some games are more Edutainment games than others. I’ve made my position pretty clear on Edutainment style games. They aren’t bad if they work but I prefer the sneak attack/ stealth learning.

Posted in Evaluation, Games, Edutainment | No Comments »