Nanny Mania

So, I've been working on this simulation evaluation project. One of the games that I checked out was Nanny Mania. The plot was corny but I think this game could have value in schools. The nanny had to housework within a given time in order to experience success. As the difficulty increased, the nanny was given more jobs and some of the jobs became multi-step jobs. It also began with one baby and the family grew from there. The babies provided certain tasks for the nanny such as warming and feeding a bottle and changing a diaper. As they grew, they created other jobs for the nanny (knocked over lamps, books, etc.)
I think that students in our schools now do not really understand what it takes to keep up a home. I mean, I didn't fully realize until I had one of my own but I had a general idea. A lot of students have never washed laundry, prepared a meal or made a bed. I see this as a problem. Can people live without the skill of making a bed? Yes, but we have to see the bigger picture of keeping up with a home and the tasks within that. I think that I may buy this game for my students.
This game was very good at increasing in difficulty. The jobs increased and the difficulty increased as success was achieved. The graphics were similar to the SIMS and were overall well done. This has been my favorite simulation that I have worked with.

Cooking Mama

Okay, so one simulation that I did not have great luck with is called "Cooking Mama" for Wii. I like silly games better than any sort of sports or (sorry Dr. Miller) comic-related game. So I begged my husband to rent "Cooking Mama." I agreed to let him choose a "manly" game while I indulged in a guilty pleasure, silly game. Well, it was pretty disappointing. The game took you through the processes of cooking recipes. The Wii remote became whatever tool you needed from a spoon to stir to a potato peeler and so on. The recipes took the player through each step to prepare, fix and serve the food. The food covered a plethora of cultures and styles. I felt like the game was packed with some great ideas for a simulation. (Cooking is a great life skill for my students with special needs). However, it just wasn't executed well. The narrator was annoying, the graphics were not impressive and the dexterity required with the Wii remote became frustrating (required ridiculous accuracy). It was frustrating and annoying. Someone needs to take this game/simulation and develop it. I think the creators are on to something but fell a little short. Do we learn how to create games in this class? (haha! I wish!)

Brain Weight

I'm still playing Big Brain Academy for Wii. It is due back tonight so I have to get my last hoorah with it. I have really enjoyed the mental challenge that it has created. My brain weight has increased and my letter grade has come up a whole letter! I'm going to retest tonight before we take it back. I've enjoyed being challenged intellectually. It is a great game that I have really had fun with. It could be a possibility for the classroom.

More games

Here are some more games that I have been playing...

Big Brain Academy: I love this game!!! It is played on the Wii gaming system (it may be available for other systems but I'm not sure) and is the most educationally appropriate game that I have found for this console thus far. On this game, you take a test and you are given your "brain weight". The test has five components: compute, visualize, identify, memorize and analyze. You are measured in each of these areas. Then you are able to train your brain in each area to make your brain bigger. You can also race your friends in different activities which got pretty competitive here in our house. The activies are fun and stimulating. There are different abilities levels that challenge young and old. I could pretty easily see this game being used in a classroom as a "I'm finished, now what?" kind of activity as well as a whole group or small group instructional tool. Has anyone else played it?

Starfall.com reading activities: This website has some great reading activities that students see as games that facilitate basic reading development. I would like to use it some more with my students but it is not age-appropriate for them. I hope that those of you who teach younger ones will be able to use this with your students.

Not a good blogger...

Hello all! I apologize for the lack of blogging. I have had blog sites for a long time and have never been good at keeping up with them. I never was a journaler either. Like all of you, I have been busy. I am trying to figure out how to manage my time between a new teaching position and all the it entails and grad school. Hopefully I will do better. Although this isn't gaming related, it is technology related--One of the things that has taken a lot of my time is the school website. The library-media specialist caught wind that I had some experience with websites. Several weeks later, she and I have created a whole website for Russell Middle School (check it out at www.russell-ind.k12.ky.us/rms/ and let me know what you think.)

Anyway...games... I have been playing some, but not as much as I would like (I could play some games all day if I'm not careful)! Here are a few that I have experienced in the past few weeks:

WiiFit: What a brilliant piece of technology!! When we first got this game, my husband and I were amazed. The game comes with a balance board. Once your Wii character is registered in the program, you are measured, which includes your weight, center of balance and BMI. Wow!! I was not prepared for that. The game allows each character to set fitness goals and timelines. The workouts are divided into four categories: Yoga, Strength, Aerobics and Balance. The yoga portion is great because you cannot easily cheat. The poses that you are required to make are measured by your center of balance. The stength exercises are very challenging. The aerobics and balance activities feel more like a game than a workout, which I liked. Needless to say, I have become sore from this game before. I am looking for application in my classroom (any suggestions are welcomed) so that my students can benefit from this game. Many of them see the physical therapist and/or occupational therapist so I think that there is application that is worthy of some instructional time but I am still weighing this out.

Geometry Galaxy: Well, I'm not even sure if this is the game of this game. I rented it for the Wii system in hopes of a semi-educational game but was wrong. It was not what I had hoped so not much time was spent on this game. Someone should create some more educational games for Wii. I am dying to try it in my classroom and if proven effective write a grant for one to stay at school. So far, I'm not sure that adminisrators and others who might observe the class would deem this gaming system educationally appropriate at this point. I'm still keeping my eyes peeled for some educational games. (If you know of any that I am just missing, please let me know).