Learning Games for Students

A Course Module
by Erica R. Plappert for SLM 521

Objective Students will be able to locate online learning games that their students can use to enhance their skills and knowledge. (ISTE Standards – Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences; Teaching, Learning, and the Curriculum)

Introduction Technology can greatly motivate students to want to learn. There are many many Internet websites that offer games that children can play to practice, apply, and extend their skills and knowledge. Many times the students view these games simply as fun and do not even realize that they are learning. Teachers can locate games online that support the needs of their learners, review the content being taught, and that are suitable for their students.

Activity To begin, visit some kid-friendly gaming websites to review games available to your students. Play the games and consider their accuracy and suitability for your students.

Some neat sites are listed below.

· FunBrain.com - http://www.funbrain.com/

· Gamequarium - http://www.gamequarium.com/

· LearningPlanet.com - http://www.learningplanet.com/stu/kids0.asp

· NASA Kids Only Game Time - http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/games/

· National Geographic Games for Kids - http://www.nationalgeographic.com/kids/games/

· Surfing the Net with Kids - http://www.surfnetkids.com/

Assignment Select a specific subject and grade level that you would like to find games for. Using

the sites on this page and/or search engines, locate games that enhance learning in

that specific area. Create a webpage with links to the games and brief descriptions,

so your students can decide which they would like to play. See sample webpage

HERE.

Rubric

	1	2	3
Format	Website is disorganized and difficult to use.	Website is organized and easy to follow.	Website is visually attractive, organized, and easy to follow.
Selection	Games are not suitable for the intended subject and grade level.	Games are somewhat suitable for the intended subject and grade level.	Games are very well suited for the intended subject and grade level.
Quantity	One or two games are included.	Three or four games are included.	Five or more games are included.
Content	Descriptions are not included.	Descriptions are brief or lacking enough information for student to make a choice.	Descriptions are clear, well-stated, and provide enough information for students to make a choice.

Other Resources DiscoverySchool.com - http://school.discovery.com/students/index.html

Rivendell Learning Games for Kids - http://www.rivendell.colostate.edu/games/

Smithsonian: Kids - http://www.si.edu/kids/

White House Kids - http://www.whitehouse.gov/kids/index.html