Tales of a Technology Omnivore

I first read about Immune Attack in eSchool news and quickly jumped to the homepage of a game that has done what schools need: release an educational game with the supports needed to make it educational. Immune Attack joins the rank of games like Tabula Digita’s DimensionM as it addresses specific curriculum standards in a high-quality interactive environment that is engaging and educational AND supports teaching and learning with a full complement of resources. For 9th and 10th grade general biology students it can be an enrichment activity but for AP Biology classes it addresses specific curriculum standards and goals in an immersive interactive environment. On their website you’ll find a video of an AP Biology teacher that explains everything you want to know about its use and effectiveness in education. You’ll also find standard alignments and a rich toolset of teaching aids: objectives, essential questions, lesson plans, vocabulary, and extension ideas. (more…)

One of the most interesting developments in the multiplayer educational gaming world is the creation of virtual tournaments. Schools around the country are participating in Tabula Digita’s 2nd annual Multiplayer Educational Gaming Tournament right now. The qualifying rounds are finished and students across the country are gearing up for the semifinals. Schools choose their five best players and then challenge the math mastery of other schools playing DimensionM virtually — from the comfort and safety from their schools. Winners get trophies and the honor of being national champs at the beginning of what I think will be a growing and lasting practice. Finally an opportunity to see the same excitement that sporting events drum up over content that is rarely celebrated (when was the last time you heard kids cheering each other on to solve algebraic equations?) (more…)

I promised that I would share my favorite educational games and next on my list is a game I grew up with.  SimCity has been hailed for being a game rich in a wide range of learning experiences from balancing complex budgets to studying the impact of pollution on fragile ecosystems to planning interstate transportation systems.  Really, the impact of this game on my development as a citizen of an urban metropolis is amazing.  I have more of an interest in urban planning than I ever would have had with strong feelings on zoning laws, architecture, mass transit, and environmentalism amongst other game-inspired frames of reference. 

I started playing SimCity classic and progressed through each rebirth of the game until Simcity 4.  Each game became more sophisticated and required deeper, high order critical thinking and problem solving skills than the previous version.  By the time SimCity 4 came out, some of my peers gave up because they said the complexity ruined the fun.  Not I.  I looked at each city as a masterpiece.  I often wished others could enjoy what I made as much as I did but they usually looked at my creation for a second and said, “That’s nice.”  That’s nice?  Don’t you see I created a whole state map worth of fiscally balanced, artistically designed cities that took me months to make??  (OK, I’m backing away from the pain)  (more…)

Just watched this amazing video about WiiFit’s new health program which couples a board that you stand on with interesting games that get your blood pumping.  I especially loved the hula hoop game and can see the push up game becoming a favorite.

Check it out:   http://www.gamespot.com/video/942009/6174496/wii-fit-video-feature-1