Entry #11- Words of Wonder

Preliminary Elements:

Title: Words of Wonder
Publisher: Playdom (Disney)

Release Date: 2013

Game Type: Word Game

Game Summary: Words of Wonder is a word search game set in the context of a magical world.  The player is presented with a block of lettered tiles and must form words connecting those tiles horizontally, vertically and diagonally.  After a word is formed, those tiles are cleared from the board and new tiles appear.  Each level presents a new challenge including finding longer words or clearing a specific number of tiles.  The player is rewarded with points that increase based on, again, word length or number of tiles eliminated.  The game invites players to track their progress and share the information via Facebook as a method of communication with friends.  Additional aspects of the game may be purchased.  

Educational Value:  This is a clear cut word game.  Students of varying grade levels can use it as a fun tool to form new words.  It can also be a great way to help students learn to identify patterns, such as placement of consonants and vowels, as they strive to locate as many words as possible and earn points.  

Opinion:  I would strongly consider using Words of Wonder in my classroom as a review game.  While I would not want to use game as primary teaching tool, it would be a great resource for students to improve their word skills.  Instead of using traditional worksheets, the students are presented with engaging graphics and an age appropriate and compelling story line.  The addition of varying incentives combined with the rest of game makes for a game that students will want to play and, more importantly, will want to win.  As the higher levels are more difficult, the students will find that they are increasingly challenged with the puzzles presented and that will, in turn, improve these important word identification skills.  

Entry #10- Uno & Friends

Preliminary Elements:

Title: Uno & Friends ( Iphone App)
Publisher: Gameloft

Release Date: 2013
Game Type:  Card Game

Game Summary: This free app downloaded to the iPhone is one of the latest versions of the well-known card game known as Uno.  The rules are simple; players are dealt seven cards and start discarding cards based on number and color.  When a single card is left in a player's hand, the player must yell (click) "Uno".  The goal is to be the first to get rid of your entire hand.  In Uno & Friends, this game is given a community and interactive feel as you are immediately connected to others playing on their own devices.  It is true multiplayer as you wait your turn and strategize once the other players make their moves.  I believe a player has the ability to choose a random assortment of people or play against friends.  Throughout the rounds, player are given special points and bonuses based on their choices.  The player can also keep track of points accumulated at the end of each level for greater incentives.  

Educational Value: This is another example of a game that could act as a terrific introduction for students to learn multiplayer gaming.  They must exhibit patience and civility as they play Uno against each other and other random people that also have this app.  For much younger children, this game also serves as an introduction to numbers, colors and card games.  

Opinion:  Who doesn't like Uno?!  This is the card game that so many of us played when younger and gave us a strong base for many other card games that we have enjoyed in later years.  I really believe that students would continually enjoy playing Uno through many many rounds of the game.  It simply never gets old or boring and when adding the multiplayer element, the students will enjoy playing against real people as opposed just a faceless computer.  I'm glad that the Apple App Store offers games of this nature for free.  The gameplay can be fast and a time limit per move keeps slower players from bringing the game to a crawl.  Ultimately, I think I would use a game such as Uno & Friends in the classroom as a reward for hard work in various subjects.  

Entry #9- Fun Brain- Grammar Gorillas

Preliminary Elements:

Title: Fun Brain (Grammar Gorillas)
Funbrain.com
Publisher: Pearson Education

Release Date: 2000
Game Type: Educational

Game Summary: Grammar Gorillas is one of many games that students can play on the FunBrain website! The Grammar Gorillas need help identifying the correct part of speech. If you answer the question correctly, the gorillas receive bananas and the player gets points. Before starting the game, the player can choose to play either at a beginner level or advanced level. When starting the game, the player is given a sentence where two words are highlighted so you can click on them. The player is asked, for example: to click on the verb. If you choose the correct word, the gorilla gets a banana and the player gets a point. If you choose the incorrect word, it explains to you what part of speech the word you picked was and are given an incorrect point. There is also a help feature at the bottom of the screen where it tells you the definition of all the different types of speech from nouns to conjunctions.  The player receives fun graphics and a star at the end of the game no matter what score you get! Funbrain would best benefit students that are between the ages of 5 and 13.

Educational Value: This website allows students to access math, reading, and fun games. The use of fun graphics and bright colors would attract students to this website. This site could be used to introduce a lesson, have students create new knowledge by playing first as an engagement piece or a review game. It is easy to navigate so students can feel comfortable in this online learning environment. The site is kid-safe certified which puts parents and teachers at ease. It also has free books and comics for students to view instead of the normal hand held book and worksheet comic! Fun fact: the Playground feature on this site introduces pre-k students to the internet teaching them how to use the mouse and keyboard!

Opinion:  I think this website is a great tool for students to access. There is no username or password necessary and a variety of games to choose from. Since we are trying to get students interested in online gaming and communities, having a website where some of the games are educational while others are just fun is a great way to get the students engaged. The website is easy to navigate and I like how in each game you get to either choose the level of difficulty you want or the type of questions asked ( multiple choice, fill in the blank, etc). I would definitely use this game in my classroom especially during free computer time.

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.

Entry #7- Quiz Hub

Preliminary Elements:

Title: Quiz Hub Website

http://quizhub.com/quiz/quizhub.cfm

Publisher: Dyann K. Schmidel (developer)
Release Date: 2001-2013 (copyright)
Game Type: Educational Trivia

Game Summary:  This website allows users to access different trivia questions on various subjects for free. Once you become a paying member, you have access to more games. As a member, you can choose a grade level and specific subject to play. Their is no multiple choice type questions, just matching. When the matching answer and question are correctly paired they change to a bright color. If the question and answer are incorrectly paired, the color turns grey. The trivia games allow the player to try again until they find the correct match. Their are no points or any other incentives throughout the game. 

Educational Value: All of the information provided on this website, match the Common Core Standards. There are many quizzes ranging from the kindergarten level to the high school level. The topics include: geography, math, science, language arts, and history. These games can be used either as an initial instruction piece or for review.


Opinion:  I love how this website states that it is iPad accessible since many schools are moving in that direction. This website would be a good investment for any school to purchase for their computers so students of all levels can benefit from the vast amount of trivia games. My concern is that the games are very specific and may include some material that has not been and may not be taught in a lesson. However, hopefully students will be able to use process of elimination and deductive reasoning in order to learn new information. Overall, I really enjoyed testing out the trivia games on this site, but would have really liked a point system or other award to keep track of my progress.

Entry #6- Microsoft Flight Simulator X

Preliminary Elements:

Title: Microsoft Flight Simulator X
Publisher: Microsoft
Release Date: 2006
Game Type: Flight Simulator

Game Summary:  Microsoft Flight Simulator is seemingly one of the most accurate and intricate flight simulators available today, at least from a purely gaming perspective.  Upon starting, the gamer is immediately thrust into the world of flight and given multiple planes or a helicopter to choose from the menu.  Once the aircraft and location are chosen, the gamer is confronted by a cockpit with many dials, levers and buttons.  The game designers have thought of everything and the gamer rapidly discovers that simply increasing the throttle to full power and pulling back on the wheel won't make for a very long flight.  This game forces the gamer to develop a basic understanding of flight as the gamer must think like real life pilots to successfully navigate around the friendly skies.  Microsoft Flight Simulator offers both the ability to choose the plane and location and fly where ever the gamer chooses or to complete various missions.  Ultimately, once a gamer masters this simulator, I wouldn't doubt that the gamer would feel slightly more comfortable than the average novice in an actual cockpit.


Educational Value:  I see significant educational value throughout Microsoft Flight Simulator.  First off, the game is rated E for Everyone so there is no concern about violence, vulgarity or other inappropriate elements increasingly found in games today.  Second, I think this game can be a great teaching tool for so many different areas.  A social studies class can study geography, maps and navigation as they develop flight plans to fly from city to city.  A physics class can calculate plane movements and lift based on airspeed and other relevant factors.  A third class can use it as a teaching tool for following and comprehension of instructions.  It is a very fun and engaging game that will likely appeal to a large cross-section of students and I think that it's introduction in the classroom could be very beneficial to all.  


Opinion:  I really enjoyed playing Microsoft Flight Simulator.  While it was a little frustrating at first, once I began to concentrate and understand the various factors involved, I was finding myself striving for success as I attempted to fly from LAX to San Diego.  Takeoff was far more challenging than I anticipated (didn't really understand the flaps at first) and landing was very difficult as well.  I think it was the intricacies of the game that so attracted me to it.  I loved how this simulator made me feel that I was actually flying a plane.  While I tried it for the diary, I found myself less concerned with evaluation and more concerned with not stalling on takeoff.  Gameplay is very difficult but I think that adds to the realism of the game.  The only thing I was not overly impressed with was the amount of memory that the game consumed and required.  While my computer is by no means old, the game ran slower than I would have liked.  While I think there may be some incentives and awards for successful completion of missions, in my mind the real incentive and reward was learning and executing proper flight techniques.  I'm so glad I played this game and I hope to return to it in the future.  

Entry #5- Civilization IV

Preliminary Elements:

Title: Civilization IV
Publisher: 2K Games and Aspyr
Release Date: 2005
Game Type: Turn-Based Strategy/ Historical

Game Summary:  This is the fourth installment of the very popular Civilization series.  The player is tasked with building a society from its first settlers up through the race to space.  The player begins by choosing the culture that he/she wishes to follow.  As players build cities, they have the opportunity to develop new technology which, in turn, allows for better buildings and an increased civil and military industrial complex.  As the civilizations advance and explore, diplomacy plays a role as the player encounters other societies and the choice is made to build alliances or move toward war.  This is only the tip of the iceberg as players strategize over every decision from city locations, to building and unit choices and to even keeping the citizens of each city happy.  The possibilities in this game are endless and no two games are ever alike.  


Educational Value:  This game is loosely based on the development of cultures throughout the world and can give students an excellent idea of how we, as a society, advanced through the ages.  The cause and effect of which discoveries and sciences led to which advanced discoveries and sciences is a really crucial aspect that I think students can learn much from making these choices.  The game includes critical thinking and much analysis as the player determines which move will benefit and which moves will bring severe consequences.  While the students must be of an appropriate age to understand this game (at least 8th grade if not high school), there is more than sufficient educational value for all who play.


Opinion:  I truly enjoyed playing this game.  The Civilization series could potentially bring a new level of enthusiasm and excitement to any relevant history class.  The game play is slower than other games I've tried for this diary, but the moves you make must be more deliberate and thought out.  I particularly enjoyed figuring which sciences and technology studies had the greatest benefit to my civilization.  Between building cities, exploring the map with my military units and engaging in diplomacy with other civilizations, I found myself playing this game for hours without even realizing it.  The turn-based approach was helpful in slowing down the game enough so that I could really understand what I was doing and truly make the best decision possible.  I cannot say enough positive things about the game and really would love to see it used in the classroom. 

Entry #4- Golden Eye Reloaded

Preliminary Elements:

Title: Golden Eye Reloaded
Publisher: Activision
Release Date: 2011
Game Type: First Person Shooter

Game Summary:  Golden Eye Reloaded is one of the newer installments in the James Bond series of first person shooters but is essentially a re-imagining and updated version of the original Golden Eye found on the Nintendo 64.  This game follows the basic path of the Golden Eye movie while adding some additional elements of the player.  The most interesting update is the usage of Daniel Craig as James Bond instead of Pierce Brosnan (the Bond in Golden Eye).  The game drops you in various scenes and scenarios from the movie and, as Bond, you must fight your way to the end against numerous nameless henchmen while also attempting to complete various additional tasks along the way. 

Educational Value: I really don't see the educational value in this game.  Like most first person shooter games, its really just about shooting random bad guys without any thought.  While some of the missions do require additional actions on the player's part, I don't think that this would necessarily qualify as educational.  As I had trouble figuring out how to use the various parts of the controller to make Bond move, I did have to exercise a great deal of patience which is a virtue but still not educational.

Opinion: While I enjoyed trying the game and learning how to play a first person shooter, its really not a game or genre that I think I will be returning to soon.  The gameplay was very difficult to figure out as I had to not only be looking in a direction with one part of the controller but moving with another while simultaneously pressing buttons or aiming and shooting.  The graphics were very intense but rather dark at points so it was hard to see where I was heading or who I was aiming at.  I found the map and arrows helpful at points and confusing at other points.  While I can see how someone would enjoy this very fast-paced gameplay with a ton of action, this is simply not a genre that I'm really interested in exploring further personally and not a genre that I would ever consider introducing into a classroom.  

Entry # 3 - Madden 2009

Preliminary Elements:

Title: Madden NFL 2009
Publisher: EA Sports
Release Date: August, 2008
Game Type: Sports

Game Summary:  This is the 2009 version of one of the most successful video game franchises ever developed.  The Madden series is a football game that takes you beyond the basics of the game.  While you can play games as your favorite team, there are also mini-camps where you can improve certain offense, defense and special team skills.  This is a very accurate portrayal of football as it takes you beyond the basic plays and allows for a more intricate and complete understanding of the game.  In season mode, you can manage a team through a season while controlling everything from drafts and trades to worrying about the depth chart and salary caps.  It is also just fun to play a random game and call the plays.  

Educational Value: I really see the educational potential in this game from numerous standpoints.  On the most basic level, this is a great introduction to football in physical education classes.  Through simple play, a teacher can really explains the rules and gameplay.  In addition, for a more advanced PE class, Madden is a great tool to learn specific plays and see how they may look if used.  Aside from football itself, I think this could prove useful as older students are introduced to basic business practice.  As football is big business and goes beyond the field, Madden gives the player the ability to manage a team including financial decisions.  While this has limited value, this could be a great tool to engage students with a topic that they may be more interested in than traditional business principles. 

Opinion: I had never played Madden before looking for sports games for this assignment. I am glad I tried it though as I quickly learned how to play and my competitive side rapidly emerged.  While I am a casual football fan, I found myself understand far more of the game than from watching all season long.  I was surprised at first but then remembered that this is the whole point of the class!  I'm excited that I could see first hand that actually playing was making me learn a new skill set that I never had previously considered.  The gameplay was fast and the graphics and design were nothing short of enticing.  At times, it almost feels like you are controlling a real football game.  It has all the necessary elements for a great game and what better incentive than watching your player do an endzone dance following a touchdown!