EvaluationRubricforEducationalGames

AndrewFerneyhough,LauraMann,MariekeHoltkamp

Game Evaluated by: Laura Mann

Game: Link:

Spatial Temporal Math Games web web.stmath.com web.stmath.com

Also check out www.mindresearch.net

Gameoverview:
ST Math is a game-based math program which is designed based on brain research and how people learn. It is highly visual and therefore removes many language barriers. ST math games require students to problem-solve and develop their own concept-based understanding math concepts directly connected to curriculum outcomes. There are hundreds of games which students work through sequentially. They also have access to "optional" learning outcomes for students requiring enrichment or extra support. Once the concept is mastered, students can work through problems to develop their uency. The basic goal for each games is to help a little penguin named Jiji across the screen. If the student makes a mistake, the game provides informative, visual feedback to explain the error. It also provides feedback when the answer is correct which helps in mastering understanding of the concept.

Purpose

Underwhich categorydoesthis gamefit? Checkallthatapply

Art Empathy Civics/Humanities Conflict Economics Environment Fitness Currentevents Health Globalissues Gender Numeracy Literacy Science Socialresponsibility Careereducation Other:________________________ Materialisrelevanttothelearnerandthelearning outcomes Contentisembeddedinthestory/fantasy/challenge Learnercantransferpreviousknowledgetothegame Learnercanadaptasaconsequenceoftransfer Learnerisimmersedandinvestsintellectually Naturalapplicationofinformationderivedfromthegame inhabitualandspontaneoususeofinformation

Whicheducational elementsare present? (Basedonthe RETAINmodel) Checkallthatapply

Design

Whichoperating systemsupports thisapp?

Android iOS Online Mac PC 1 userfriendly cleargoalsand instructions engagingand/or motivating ofhightechnical quality aestheticallypleasing 2 3 4

Ratethefollowing designfeaturesona 4pointscale: 1=notatall 4=always Isthisgame?

Whatistheprice?

Free School pricing varies depending on license $________ Thepricematchesthevalue Thevalueexceedstheprice Thepriceexceedsthevalue Singleplayer Twoplayers Morethantwoplayers Other_________________ Remembering Understanding Applying Analyzing Evaluating Creating

purchased. ~$27 (Less than the cost of a textbook )

Doestheprice matchthevalue? Howmanyplayers doesthisgame include?

Pedagogy
(Learning Principles)

Accordingto BloomsTaxonomy, whichlevelof thinkingis supported? Checkallthatapply WhichofJames Geeslearning principlesdoesthis gamesupport? Check/highlightall thatapply

Empoweredlearnersprinciple Identity,agency,customization,codesign Problemsolvingprinciple sequencing,flow,cycleofexpertise, justintime,indemand,increasingcomplexity,sandbox Deeplearningprinciple ystemsthinking,situatedmeaning

Pedagogy
(Learning Goals)

Arelearninggoals clear? Checkallthatapply

Gamestatesintendedlearningoutcomes Outcomescanbemodified/adaptedtoconnectto teacher/learnergoals Outcomesaremeasurable Factualknowledgeconnectstolearninggoals Experiencesconnecttolearninggoals Mechanicsandactivitiesconnecttolearninggoals Providesspacetodemonstratelearning Providesresourcesfordeeperlearning Provideslinksforstudentstoadvancelearning Learningcanextendbeyondthecontextofthegame

Doescontentrelate tolearninggoals? Checkallthatapply Supportive educational materials Checkallthatapply

Restrictions

Agerestriction?

Noagerestriction Mustbe13orhaveparentalconsent Mustbe18orhaveparentalconsent Otheragerestrictions____________________

PrivacyConcerns

Personalinformationisnotrequestedornecessary Personalinformationisrequestedbutthisdoesnot affectthefunctionalityofthegame Personalinformationisnecessaryforfullfunctionalityof thegame ServerishousedoutsideofBritishColumbia

Giventheaboveconsiderations,thisgameisappropriateforthefollowingagegroups Checkallthatapply Preschool Primary Intermediate Secondary Adultlearners Teachers Canbeadaptedtosupportlearnersofanyage

Otherconsiderations
For a tour of ST Math games, see my video @ elearninglauramann.weebly.com/13/post/2014/04/st-math.html The cost might be restrictive and this program is currently available only for school. It is approximately $27/ student for a school and this would decrease considerably if a school district purchased a district licence. There are many free professional development resources including webinars, video lessons and suggestions for enrichment.

Ratings
3 Purpose Thegameis exceptionally meaningfuland educational 2 Thegameis generallymeaningful andeducational 1 Thegameis somewhatmeaningful andeducational

Design

Thedesignand Thedesignand Thedesignand technicalaspectsare technicalaspectsare technicalaspectsare exceptional adequate unclearandconfusing attimes Consistentlysupports Usuallysupportsa avarietyoflearning varietyoflearning principles principles Learninggoalsare clearandare consistently supportedbygame Restrictionsdonot limitthegames effectiveness Overallan exceptional educationalgame
15

Pedagogy (Learning Principles) Pedagogy (LearningGoals)

Sometimessupports avarietyoflearning principles

Learninggoalsare Learninggoalsare somewhatclearand unclearandarenot aremostlysupported alwayssupported bygame Insome circumstances, restrictionslimitthe gameseffectiveness Generallyan effectiveeducational game
2

Restrictions

Restrictionslimitthe gameseffectiveness

Overall

Notconsistently effectiveasan educationalgame

Score

Totalscore:/18 17

Cost is the greatest restriction

I highly recommend this game-based math program because it motivates students intrinsically, it develops problem-solving thinking skills and it helps students develop a deep understanding of math concepts. It encourages students to be accountable to his/her own learning and consistently provides visual and informative feedback. It removes language barriers and yet encourages development of language skills through "math talk". For more information visit the two website above and listen to Dr. Mathew Peterson's TedTalk entitled Teaching Without Words.

Categories
Purpose:Eachgamehasavarietyofpurposes.Somehavemorethanone.Dependingontheintent oftheteacher,eachpurposehasavalue.Thepurposesweidentifiedinclude:determiningwhich categorythegamefallsunderandwhicheducationalelementsarepresent. Design:Weconsideredwhichoperatingsystemsupportsthegameandthepriceandthepricein relationtovalue.Wealsowantedtoknow,onascaleof14:isituserfriendly,gamebased, engaging/motivating,ofhightechnicalqualityandaestheticallypleasing?Wealsoincludedwhetheror notthegameallowedformorethanoneplayer. Pedagogy:Foreachgamewethinkitisimportanttoconsiderwhichlevelandqualityofthinkingis supported.Inourevaluation,weconsideredBloomsTaxonomyandwhichofJamesGeeslearning principlesthegamesupports. Foreachgamewefeltiswasimportanttodeterminehowthegamewillachievewhattheteacherset outtodo.Arethelearninggoalsclear?Doesthegamesupportthelearninggoalssetoutbythe teacher?Doesthegameprovidesupportand/oropportunitytofurtherthelearning? Restrictions:Forthegameevaluationweconsideredagerestrictions/consent,theprovisionof personalinformationandotherprivacyconcerns.

References
Ulicsak,M.(June,2010).Gamesineducation:seriousgames.Retrievedfrom http://media.futurelab.org.uk/resources/documents/lit_reviews/SeriousGames_Review.pdf Gee,JamesPaul.PrinciplesonGaming.RetrievedApril6,2014from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aQAgAjTozk Ulicsak,M.(June,2010).RETAINModelSummary .RetrievedApril6from http://oltd508lewis.weebly.com/uploads/8/2/7/9/8279059/retain_model__table_with_points_per_catego ry.pdf