Web-Based Educational Game Evaluation 2021

Module 6

Game Title Summertime Spot the Shapes

Game Type ___X___ Web-Based Game ______ App-Based Game

When choosing a game to be used in the classroom, many things need to be considered in order for the game to be an effective
classroom tool. The game play, navigation, interface tools, educational content, Bloom’s Taxonomy, Thoughtful Education
strategies, differentiation of instruction, teacher guidance, and resources must all be considered. The following rubric can be
used to evaluate games and simulations for use in the elementary classroom.

Explanation of Points

19-27: Game has value on multiple levels and can be used in the classroom for student learning enhancement. The game uses
teacher resources, Bloom’s taxonomy, current and proven research-based education practices. It also has teacher resources and
supplements to help integrate the game into the classroom. This game also scaffolds and differentiates play for all learners
including ELL students, Exceptional Education learners, below grade level, on level, and above level learners including Gifted
Students. It also requires the student to use a variety of strategies and skills in order to complete the goals and objectives. It is
also user friendly, tracks student progress, and engages students on multiple levels.

10-18: Game meets at least 5 categories of criteria. It can be used in the classroom as a supplement but not as the main lesson.
It uses some research-based education practices and provides some material to be used in lesson plans and game play. The
teacher may still need to bring in additional material to integrate the game in the classroom. It engages students’ on a few
levels and is mostly user friendly. Tracks some student progress but does not gather data. Game may differentiate for some
students, but not all students. Students may use 1-2 strategies in order to complete game play but not a variety of skills.

0-9: This game should not be used in the classroom or for learning purposes.

1 CCU Computer-Assisted Language Learning | Dr. Corey Lee (clee@coastal.edu)

Web-Based Educational Game Evaluation 2021
Module 6

Evaluation Rubric for Educational Game

1 2 3
Criteria Score
Needs Improvement Satisfactory Exemplary
Game is not age appropriate. There is Game is age appropriate for majority Game is age appropriate. There is no
questionable language or action. The
story is not simple and easily
of target demographic. There is no
questionable language or actions to be
questionable language or action. The
story is simple and easy to
2
understood. Goals and objectives for taken by students. The story is understand. Goals and objectives for
the student are unclear or not somewhat simple and easy to each level are explicit to the student’s
displayed. The game demographic is understand. Goals and objectives for learning abilities. Storyline and
not the student’s age level. There are each level are clear and attainable for character interaction is easily
too many choices and the student the student to achieve. Game understood. There are limited choices
does not have control over their path. attempts to integrate different levels and at least two-three different
Dialog is not simple or understood of learning and student ability levels. outcome paths. Students have control
between the students and the Graphics and sound mostly go with over which direction and path their
characters in the game. Instructions game play but may have a few character can take. Dialog between
Game Play are hard to follow or not easily “empty” screens and sounds. Sounds students and characters or
understood. Graphics and sounds are do not always match up with screens instructions are simple for student to
not aligned with the game or the story or may be slow in loading. Some game understand. Graphics and sound work
of the game. There is not an easy way screens may have “extra” items but with the game and there are no
for a student to recall information does not interfere in game play. There “extras” unless needed in the levels of
needed for game play. There is no is a place for students to collect and game play or the simulation. There are
tutorial mode or instructions given for store items and can easily recall places for students to store tools and
game play. information needed for game play items collected or a place to drop
throughout. There is a short tutorial items no longer needed. Students
mode that explains most of the have the option to go through a
navigation and game play. tutorial mode to understand game
play and navigation.
The game Summertime Spot the Shapes meets the criteria of a 2. It is age appropriate for my grade level of kindergarten. It was
Summary of
very easy to follow the directions the game gave. The goals and objectives align with state standards and were appropriate. I could
Game Play not agree with game attempting to integrate levels for the specific game I played.
Navigation The student struggles with navigation Navigation is somewhat intuitive for Navigation is intuitive to the age
which does not allow for easier game the student or age group. Tools and
play. Tools and buttons are not within buttons are simple but may not be
group. Tools and buttons are within
easy reach of students. Minimum
2
easy reach and so students cannot easily reached by all students. There is thought required by students to use

2 CCU Computer-Assisted Language Learning | Dr. Corey Lee (clee@coastal.edu)

Web-Based Educational Game Evaluation 2021
Module 6

navigate easily. There is no audio some thought required by students to tools to navigate their Avatar through
option available to read students navigate but it does not interfere in game screens and interact with game
dialog or other game information if game play. Students have more than characters. Audio available for lower
needed. Students are given a generic once choice if the Avatar is a generic level learners and ELL students. Tools
avatar to play game. Too much one. They can customize the Avatar and buttons are intuitive to the
thought is required to navigate game somewhat. Audio is available only in student playing so as not to interfere
pathways causing interruption in some parts of the game. Tools and in game play or thought process.
game play for the student. buttons are somewhat intuitive and
do not interfere in game play.
Navigation is simple and self-explanatory for students. It gave great directions and video as to how to play the game. There is
Summary of
however no avatar that I could see without using the premium package. I know that there is an avatar to the site once you are a
Navigation premium level and this is why I left it at a 2.
Keyboard and other navigational tools Medium difficulty in keyboard and Easy keyboard or mouse controls to
are complicated or hard to use
through the screens and levels. Uses
mouse controls. Allows some point
and click action to move through
move through screens and levels. Uses
point and click and indicator arrows
3
keyboard letters or keys that are too screens but may need the keys such as for important information and has a
spread out interfering in game play W, S, A, D in order to move forward, “hint” box students can use to prevent
and natural flow of the game. There backward and left and right. May frustration and allow students to stay
are no hints or ways to indicate to require the student to practice more engaged in game. Hint box needs
Interface Tools students’ important information. with the controls in order to navigate specific types of items collected to use
the game. There is a hint box available which are indicated in the game
in some parts of the game such as tutorial. Hint box must “reload” in
new levels or new quests. Tutorial can order to use.
be repeated but may interfere in
game play.

Summary of The interface tools for the students is simple. It tells you where to move and what to click. I have no doubt that my kindergarten
Interface Tools students would be okay with playing this game and navigating it.

Educational Game has no educational content or
Content concepts that integrate into teachers’
planned curriculum. Game is not
aligned with Educational Standards.
Game has some educational value and Game is clearly aligned with
can be identified as a useful tool in
some content areas. Game may be
educational standards. Teacher can
easily integrate game into lesson plans
3
somewhat aligned with educational and classroom activities.
standards. Teacher may need to pull
supplemental material in order to
integrate game into lesson plans and

3 CCU Computer-Assisted Language Learning | Dr. Corey Lee (clee@coastal.edu)

Web-Based Educational Game Evaluation 2021
Module 6

classroom activities.
Summary of The game is clearly aligned to the standards. The game can easily be implemented and assigned to students when learning about
Educational 2d shapes.
Content
Only the lower levels of Bloom’s Some higher-level Bloom’s taxonomy The higher order thinking skills of
taxonomy are used. These include
remembering, understanding, and
is addressed but game is mostly
middle to lower level Bloom’s. These
Bloom’s taxonomy are required for
students to play the game. These
1
applying. include applying, remembering, include evaluating, synthesizing, and
understanding, and some evaluation analyzing multiple pieces of
Bloom’s and analyzing of game situations in information and multiple parts of the
Taxonomy order to solve problems and combine game in order to solve problems.
multiple pieces of information in order Allows students to create items
to complete game. Does not allow including their Avatar to engage
students to create items or completely students.
customize their Avatar.

Summary of I gave the game a one because it does not allow students on the free portion to be able to create an avatar. I also do not think
Bloom’s higher-level on Bloom’s Taxonomy was addressed in this specific game. The following games after it would be considered as higher-
level games but those are different games within the same lesson.
Taxonomy
There are no thoughtful education Some thoughtful education strategies Thoughtful Education strategies and
strategies integrated into game play
and other research-based strategies
are used and integrated into the game
play. May introduce students to new
other researched based criteria are
subtly integrated into game play such
3
are not used concepts such as word relationships as being introduced to new concepts
Thoughtful but does not allow comparison and ideas using comprehension
Educational between relationships. strategies in relation to Bloom’s
Strategies taxonomy. These may include new
vocabulary concepts, word and
situation relationships and comparing
a new situation to a previous
situation.
Summary of The game earned a 3 in this section due to the nature of the game. Students had to identify shapes in the summertime scene. The
Thoughtful shapes were hiding in the scene and were made into objects. The students had to look hard to be able to see where the shapes
were and what the shapes were made into. For example, one circle was a floating device someone was on.
Educational
Strategies
4 CCU Computer-Assisted Language Learning | Dr. Corey Lee (clee@coastal.edu)
Web-Based Educational Game Evaluation 2021
Module 6

Game play only has one level of play Game play has two or three levels of Game play allows for students to work
and does not allow for multiple or
diverse groups of students the ability
play and allows for some multiple or
diverse groups of students the ability
on multiple levels and platforms to
solve problems and resolve situations
1
to play. The levels may be defined as to play. Levels may be defined as Easy, in the game. There levels may be
Differentiation of Easy, Medium, and Difficult but does Medium, or Difficult but there is very defined as Easy (below grade level and
not allow students to move between little scaffolding or difference in all simple directions); Medium (on grade
Instruction them based on performance. three levels. Does not allow for level); and Difficult (above grade level
movement between levels based on and challenging) in order to engage
performance. students on multiple levels of
performance. Scaffolding allows
students to flow between difficulty
levels based on their performance.
Summary of Summertime Spot the Shapes game did not have different levels to it. It did not allow you to play the game more than once and the
game have levels. I wish it did because it would allow students to have to look deeper into the scene to find shapes. I would classify
Differentiation of the game as medium for difficulty. It is easy for me to spot the shapes but kindergarten students may take some time to find the
Instruction shapes in the scene.
No teacher interface allowing teacher Interface allows teacher to look at Interface allows cloud navigation to
to track student progress or get
statistical information on students’
progress of students but does not
provide strategies or mini-lessons in
track student progress through game
play and present teaching strategies
3
comprehension of game concepts. No order to help students through a to help a student through a difficult
mini-lessons or the teacher interface difficult part of the game. Does not task or situation in the game play
interrupts game play and disengages allow students to practice problem while still allowing the student
Teacher Interface
student in game. solving. The teacher needs to pull in opportunities to practice problem-
additional information and create own solving. Shows teacher the specific
lessons based on student trouble- mini-lesson that can be used to help a
spots in the game. Teacher may have student at a particular level.
to watch student play game in order
to identify trouble-spots.

I gave the interface a 3. Even though I do not have access to the teacher interface because I am not a premium member, it did
Summary of
allow me to look through the teacher tools. As a teacher I can assign games, assign lessons, track and monitor progress/activity,
Teacher Interface give assessments, and put students into groups.
Game Resources Game has no teacher resources to be Some graphic organizers for student Includes thoughtful education graphic
used with students in the classroom to usage during gameplay. Instructions or organizers students can use during
help integrate game into lesson plans. Teacher Resource book included. May game play and mini-lessons that
3
not include lesson plan activities for teachers can use to help students

5 CCU Computer-Assisted Language Learning | Dr. Corey Lee (clee@coastal.edu)

 Web-Based Educational Game Evaluation 2021
Module 6

integration into classroom and through a particular difficult concept.

teacher may have to pull in and create Supplements include videos and
own resources. activities that can be used to integrate
game into classroom lessons.

Summary of The game has great teacher resources to match. There is a guided lesson, differentiated lesson, 9 other games that build on to the
Game Resources one game I played, songs and videos to explain the content of 2d shapes and more.

Total Score 21
Points: Summary of Evaluation
[Comments on Strengths, Weaknesses, Improvements, and Effectiveness go here]
Strengths:
Education.com is a great site for educators. There are so many games and resources that it is overwhelming. There were many
strengths that I found in playing this game and navigating the site. As a teacher you can assign these games, give assessments, there is
a progress tracker for teachers to monitor students’ progress, kid mode (so that they cannot go on other things when they are working
on an assignment), class roster, you can make groups and assign activities to specific groups, and it will show students recent activity.
This website and game have many pluses to using this site. I played Summertime Spot the Shapes and after that one game it turned
into many shape lessons that build on the first lesson game. There are 9 games that are included in the lesson on shapes. It starts off
simple and then gets complex and ends with 3d shapes. This could be used to differentiate for so many students. This game also
allowed students to gain stars and they received 3 points for every game in the lesson they completed.

Weaknesses:
In playing the game Summertime Spot the Shapes, I found in order for me to be able to spend an hour or more on this website, I
had to pay for premium. I was hoping that the site would let you play it as the person who is trying it out, and then have you
purchase to continue to use the site. I think they should at least allow students or teachers to go through one full lesson. One full
lesson includes pintable’s, lessons, and 9 games. I cannot tell if the activities or games would be appropriate if I am not able to
view and try them. This was a weakness in the site. As far as the game is concerned, the weakness in the specific game is that I feel
they did not ask me to find enough shapes. It only asked me to find circles, squares and triangles. There are more shapes students

6 CCU Computer-Assisted Language Learning | Dr. Corey Lee (clee@coastal.edu)

 Web-Based Educational Game Evaluation 2021
Module 6

need to know. However, the games built on each other and the next game in the lesson incorporated more shapes. According to
the rubric, this game does not have avatars and is not considered a virtual game. It was difficult to score without having some of
the key components that are listed in the rubric.

Improvements:
I recommend Education.com allowing students/teachers to be able to view and play the game in its entirety. The site could
possibly have levels to what teachers can do without being a premium member. There is barely anything that you can do as a non-
premium member. I think there would be more teacher and district buy in if there was a month trial or only certain options were
available like, you can play the games but teachers cannot assign it to students, check activity and progress etc. I also would
recommend the site having avatars for the students to be able to have follow them through the lessons. Avatars are only given if
you have the premium level and the points earned can be spent in the kids shop but only if you have the full account. If I did not do
more research, I would assume this site has no avatar and does nothing with the points because I cannot view that on my end.

7 CCU Computer-Assisted Language Learning | Dr. Corey Lee (clee@coastal.edu)