My Top 5 Educational Games (App-based)
Click on each of the following images to access more information about the corresponding game.
Dr. Greenie's TriviaDr. Greenie's Mad Trivia app is based off the television show, Dr. Greenie's Mad Lab that airs on the Planet Echo television series. The app game has 10 different levels where players have a chance to earn 3 stars for each level. Each level has a screen set similar to Jeopardy, however, instead of having topic titles at the top it has videos. Players are required to watch the videos to unlock the questions below. The details on the App Store, recommends the game for ages 9-11, however, I think this is a great game for all ages. The topics included in the game range from all science content, therefore the game can be incorporated into any standard I teach throughout the year.
According to Kapp, Dr. Greenie's Mad Trivia would be considered a well-designed game. It keeps players engaged with interesting videos and allows them to answer questions and receive immediate feedback. |
ChemCrafterI consider ChemCrafter to have Flow according to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, ChemCrafter begins by establishing rules in order for the player to reach their goals. There are a couple goals set forth, long-term goal, beat the game, however the short-term goal is to open more books. This game provides feedback when the player has reached a goal and essentially the player is in control.
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Little Alchemy 2Little Alchemy 2 would be considered an effective game in the classroom to learn the fundamentals about elements that exist all around us. It allows students to manipulate the four basic elements to discover how new elements are formed. The students are in control of what they discover and when it fails, it provides feedback by causing the elements to shake, not allowing them to combine and providing tips. According to Gros' research on sociological approach, it is also a game that would interest my girl students who enjoy design programs because they are essentially designing what elements they are discovering.
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iBiome: Wetland and OceanIf I am going to recognize the 5 strategies Kapp provided for organizing elements into gamification, I believe iBiome Wetland/Ocean would "meet the cut". It allows the learner/gamer to be challenged, take on important roles, or overcome obstacles. iBiome provides educational information narrated by Professor Bio about each of the habitats and the laws of nature. iBiome allows players to learn what a food web is and how to create one, as well as become immersed in the habitat by keeping it alive by the plants and animals chosen to live within it. These app-based games will be extremely beneficial when I begin the Ecology unit in my 7th grade Science classes.
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TerraGenesisTerraGenesis is a simulation game that allows players to build, explore, and maintain ecosystems within existing biospheres or a entirely newly formed biosphere of their own. It uses real data provided directly by NASA. Students are able to explore the make up of our world, Earth, and the required elements involved to sustain life on our planet. TerraGenesis is somewhat advanced for the age group of my students and requires a lot of time, however, I do believe it is very informative and could be played as a daily warm-up in the classroom. I also believe it's a game that students would want to play at home. I could use this game for two of the units I teach this year, either Ecology or Properties of Matter. This simulation game also touches on the Technological Design aspect incorporated in the 7th grade that enhance the SEPs we use in all science classes, grades K-12.
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