Educational Online Game

           Educational Online Games are fun tools that teachers can use in their classroom in a

variety of ways. The internet has access to numerous online educational games that cover all the different subject areas for different grade levels. I had the opportunity to present an educational online game to my ED271: Technology Applications for Educators class. I was able to work on this project with a group of future educators. We were tasked to soar one educational online game to share, not only what the game is all about, but also to create our own grading rubric of the game. Although we were assessing educational games, they can have some flaws or even outstanding features.

          The point of the rubric is to point out the flaws and areas that are preeminent. For me, the tasks proved to be the most challenging in creating this rubric were deciding what sort of criteria would be most appropriate to have, as well as ensuring the length was appropriate. Deciding where to begin with the criteria was the biggest challenge of them all. Fortunately we were able to look at previous examples to guide us in the creation process. The examples were very helpful and our team designed an excellent rubric that was not too long nor too short, and each criteria chosen was of great importance.My group chose an educational shape game that targeted elementary students particularly in the Pre K to 2nd grade level. The game is called Team Umizoomi Catch that Shape Bandit and as the title says, it is a fun way of practicing shape skills in simple examples.

           The game can be accessed through the Nick Jr. website (http://www.NickJr.com). Catch that Shape Bandit is an effective educational game that has its pros and cons. The grading rubric, which points out some of the flaws and preeminent areas of the game, can be viewed at http://anthony91mb.wix.com/ed271-game-cite. Team Umizoomi Catch that Shape Bandit is a fun way students can build on their Shapes skills. In conclusion, educational games are growing in popularity especially with the advance in technology. Gayla Keesee wrote that, “They give us the fundamental needs of learning by providing - enjoyment, passionate involvement, structure, motivation, ego gratification, adrenaline, creativity, social interaction and emotion” (Keesee, 2011). Educators in today’s society should look more into incorporating educational online games into their classroom instruction.





References:

Keesee, G. (2011). Teaching and learning resources: Educational games. Retrieved from http:// teachinglearningresources.pbworks.com/w/page/35130965/Educational%20Games 

Team Umizoomi Catch That Shape Bandit. (n.d.). Retrieved from Nick Jr. website: http://www.NickJr.com