Chapter 3 Response

1. After exploring Sodaplay, I decided the website was basic and boring. It did not seem interesting at all, and I’m not sure how I could use this website in an educational manner. This microworld allowed users to manipulate the movements of different objects.

2. Net Frog : The first thing I read on the page is the statement next to the blue frog. The statement gives the viewer a purpose for dissecting frogs and links this purpose to human anatomy. This is a good first impression, because it makes me feel a little better about learning how to cut open a frog. I think this is a good simulation to use with students. The site provides students with images, videos, text, and other methods that give students multiple ways to understand the material. I think this is a unique way to introduce a unit on dissecting frogs and could be a good way to prepare students for the actual dissection.

Funderstanding Roller Coaster: My first impression of the website is that it looks a little plain. There isn’t a physical wow factor that gets my attention, but the roller coaster simulation is easy to spot. I like this simulation and would most likely use the simulation to promote discussions in which the students would discuss why the coaster worked or did not work. Although the simulation gives students a chance to try out different hill sizes, levels of gravity, and so forth, the simulation doesn’t provide a place where students can learn about the variables that they are rearranging on the roller coaster ride.

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4. Darfur is Dying: I was surprised to see how blunt the game was when I was attacked by the militias. My first impression of the game was that this is a game that provides realistic and truthful information. I like this game; however, the content may not be appropriate for younger students (grades k-2). I think it’s important to talk about social issues like the issues in Darfur, but rape, death, and other aspects of the Darfur game are overwhelming and difficult aspects to handle. The teacher would need to keep this in mind if she uses this game in her classroom. This game and website will definitely get students thinking and can promote future projects or action related to this issue. This game promotes meaningful learning, because the learner can further her investigation about life in Darfur by clicking other links on the website. Learning doesn’t just end at the game.

Ayiti: The Cost of Life: This game is forces the player to make decisions that can be a matter of life and death. My first impression of the game was that the game looked interesting and drew me in. I would use this game in my classroom. It gets children out of their bubble and exposes them to real life decisions that are important to a healthy life. The game allows users to state the type of life they want to live and what’s important to them. This game provides students with the realization that this is real life for some people. I think meaningful learning is promoted, because users take risks and experience the consequences of their actions. Users are learning the effects of certain decisions.

3rd World Farmer: My first impression of the game was that the game looked as if I would like it, because it looked like I could build something. It reminded me of Sims. This game provided more information that Ayiti: The Cost of Life. It gave students another opportunity to make decisions and see what happens. The user had to watch the amount of money they had and buy things. In a way, the students were managing money and taking financial risks that were followed by negative and positive consequences. I would use this in my classroom. This game exposes students to financial and life decisions related to living on a farm. The game could be used to provide students with a different perspective of the hardships famers may go through. This game wasn’t moving forward enough to keep my attention, and I felt as if I wasn’t accomplishing any main task or goal.

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6. After looking up some virtual worlds, I found Dizzywood. It seemed elementary appropriate. The games were basic like matching, race games, and etc. I’m just amazed by virtual worlds and feel like I’ve been living under a rock. I would have really liked this game as a kid. The users can talk to their gamer friends and play at the same time. In the game, you visit different places to learn tricks, moves, information, and to buy items. So far, I’ve seen virtual worlds that are basically social networking games. The worlds are more like social worlds than education worlds.
http://www.dizzywood.com/

7. I have no background in programming and do not know how to write HTML code.