Week 4 (6814)

1. Which one do you like the best?

Sally’s Energy Ride

2. What content is being learned?

Students learn about how much energy is produced by household appliances and different forms of alternative energy.  Students learn how to use the order of operations to solve math problems to learn about energy. 

3. Do you think it effectively teaches the content?

This game not only effectively teaches the content with text and graphics, but it also incorporates learning other content in the process. 

4. Does it involve higher order thinking?

In my opinion, this game does not involve higher order thinking.  You just have to solve a math problem to answer the question about energy. 

5. Does the game possess and principles of good games and learning:

I believe this game has the following three principles of good games and learning:

•  They are action-and-goal-directed preparations for, and simulations of, embodied experience—player has to answer questions to earn windmills and solar power to power the city
• They create opportunities for cross-functional affiliation—players learn about energy by solving math problems
• They allow meaning to be situated—players learn about how much energy common household appliances use

6. In your opinion do you think letting kids design games is productive activity for school based learning?

I believe that students can take control of their learning by designing games that embody the current content they are learning.  This could be an annual project for the students.  Students would really enjoy creating and playing games, while learning during the process.