EDTEC 655 Mini Review #2

I am reviewing the website Youdagames http://www.youdagames.com/simulation-games/. The site features a wide variety of simulation games. The question I want to answer on the subject of simulation games and this website in particular is:

"How can online simulation games be used at the Elementary grade level? Which games would be appropriate to use and which ones are for entertainment purposes?


When I looked at two games in particular, "Kindergarten" and "Konnectors" I wonder how relevant many of the simulation games are for the elementary level. "Kindergarten" is a simulation game that challenges the game player to run their own daycare. They must manage the children in the daycare and as they become more successful, more children are added. This game can be used to help secondary students become more cognizant of running and managing a business. You might be able to stretch and use this game in the intermediate grades in elementary school, but this may be over their heads. The education value is evident in the business management field, economics, fincance, etc. The game has real world processes (running the daycare), requires interaction on the part of the user and different choices result in different outcomes.

"Konnectors" is a game that I would use with elementary school students. This game involves getting a van across the screen to the other side in as few steps as possible. The user must plan out their route to avoid buildings and other obstacles. This requires planning on the part of the user and I see the use of this game as a whole group lesson (making decisions cooperatively) or working with a small group where everyone has to come to a decision aobut the best way to get across town.

The user is encouraged to explore other games at this website. ONe thing I would say about simulation games and elementary schools is there are not many games "real world" that would be pertinent to this level. Many of the games are aimed at middle or high school students.