Entry #8- Club Penguin

Preliminary Elements:

Title: Club Penguin
Publisher: New Horizon Interactive

Release Date: 2005
Game Type: Role Play

Game Summary:  This online game is geared towards children age 6-14 and can be played as single player or multiplayer. The player downloads the game to his/her computer and is given a username and password. If the player wants to access more of the game (gain more items in a virtual world) they must be a paid customer. Throughout the game, there are different environments and settings that players can access. Each player is given an igloo for a home. The player collects coins by playing mini games in order to buy items for their igloo. The player uses emoticons to express how they are feeling to other players in the game. Club Penguin also has an advice column where players can ask Aunt Arctic question about the game which is a lot like a help menu.

Educational Value: Club Penguin takes the role of education though learning in an online environment. It teaches students how to communicate effectively in a safe online community. The chat box where students can talk to one another is apparently monitored. The coins that the players obtain during the game can be used to buy items or they can donate them to charity, which teaches responsibility, empathy and all around good citizenship. This game also requires the use of critical thinking skills as the player must determine the moves of other players in order to better position themselves in the game.

Opinion:  While babysitting young children, I have seen them use this website very often. The kids are very engaged with the fun graphics, incentives received throughout the game, differing levels, the interaction with other player and more!  The young kids would need help logging in with a username and password if they are not proficient with keyboarding, however, I can tell that they pick up how to play the game very fast by using the space bar and arrow keys. Even without reading the directions, children are able to understand the game play very quickly. This game is a great way for kids to get acclimated to playing online game. The avatar of a penguin allows them to become part of the game. In the educational world, we are trying to move our students to online classrooms and communities and this is exactly what this game is all about. It is a virtual world where students are able to communicate with other kids playing the game at the same time. They can help each other complete levels and collaborate on game statuses. Unfortunately, while reading reviews of this game, some parents say that in the "chat room" section of the game, some kids are not using appropriate language. This game says the chat room is monitored, but I hope the parent or teacher who introduces this game to the child, would supervise as well. I would definitely want my students to get involved in an online virtual community to show that communication can take place using technology in the classroom or at home.