Definate golden time material here.
This is another game in the 'point and click' genre, similar to Professer Layton in a previous post. As with Layton it employs a rich story with many characters with in-depth profiles. The main premise of the game is a classic pirate adventure, employing a level based system that requires a number of logical steps to overcome each one.
The main difference between this and Layton is that the puzzles, although thought provoking and logic heavy, are not directly subject relative. I remember similar style titles on the old Acorn computers of my primary education which always interested myself and friends, that was if we could figure out how to run the flipping program!
As an educational tool its use is limited. More of an enjoyment title which requires logical thinking to progress, as I said before, golden time applicable certainly.
Discussing the 'Wii in the classroom' idea with peers it came to my attention that having the console there for golden time would be almost certainly an argument starter. To this problem i've come to the conclusion that if a Wii was to be encorporated as a learning tool, a rota system would need to be operated, as a general rule only 4 children or less are going to be able to access it at once.
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Monday, 2 March 2009
Scrabble DS 2007 Edition
There comes a time when you have to question the logic of a video game. I enjoy playing the board game scrabble, I find it challenging and often I learn new words from looking them up or from those i'm playing with.
By this I don't doubt that scrabble would be a welcome addition to a classroom, perhaps as something to play during wet breaks etc. I cannot however encourage the buying of a video game based on a board game that offers nothing more than the origional.
This is a prime example of what to avoid in ICT in schools, technology for the sake of technology. Why buy an electronic version of something thats good enough in its non electronic state.
What i'm saying is - buy a scrabble board, not the game.
By this I don't doubt that scrabble would be a welcome addition to a classroom, perhaps as something to play during wet breaks etc. I cannot however encourage the buying of a video game based on a board game that offers nothing more than the origional.
This is a prime example of what to avoid in ICT in schools, technology for the sake of technology. Why buy an electronic version of something thats good enough in its non electronic state.
What i'm saying is - buy a scrabble board, not the game.
Samba de Amigo
Some may be suprised at my inclusion of this game in an educational tool blog, but hear me out.
Samba de Amigo is a game for the Wii that uses the Wii remote and Nunchuk attachment as makeshift maracas.
Its essentially a rythm action game in which you shake the 'maracas' independantly to correspond with the song that is playing.
As a very bright, colourful, festival themed game there is no doubt it will appeal to children throughout primary school.
Education-wise i can see this game assisting in the old 'fine motor skills' department as well as some of the music criteria of timing and pace.
The variety of songs include many latin and salsa numbers in their language of origin, which can be classed as music of the wider world and could help in a geography or music project depending on the place of study (e.g. Brazil, Spain etc).
With all the Dancing Stage and Guitar Hero games, its nice to have a simple percussion game that can be accessed by all ages, instead of tripping you up or breaking your fingers!
Samba de Amigo is a game for the Wii that uses the Wii remote and Nunchuk attachment as makeshift maracas.
Its essentially a rythm action game in which you shake the 'maracas' independantly to correspond with the song that is playing.
As a very bright, colourful, festival themed game there is no doubt it will appeal to children throughout primary school.
Education-wise i can see this game assisting in the old 'fine motor skills' department as well as some of the music criteria of timing and pace.
The variety of songs include many latin and salsa numbers in their language of origin, which can be classed as music of the wider world and could help in a geography or music project depending on the place of study (e.g. Brazil, Spain etc).
With all the Dancing Stage and Guitar Hero games, its nice to have a simple percussion game that can be accessed by all ages, instead of tripping you up or breaking your fingers!
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