Literacy News recently included an article on Uplift, Inc., which created an online class call STRONG READER.
“STRONG READER is a cyber class that combines phonics, etymology and reading comprehension with video lessons, video games, avatars and puzzles to engage students to complete the process of reading development. Listen to a video lesson, answer a question correctly then play the video game.”
You can play a sample game by visiting http://www.cyberschoolinc.com/Website game/HOOP SHOOT 11a.swf.
While I think the idea is sound – using something that interests kids to assist with their learning and literacy – I’m not sure about the execution. Perhaps it is just the sample game, but there are errors in the questions and the content does not seem conducive to learning.
However, in my opinion, the biggest issue may be the games (assuming the sample game is representative of the others available). The graphics are not very advanced and the gameplay is very basic.
Given the choices available today, I wonder if these games will be able to hold the attention of the target age group. If they are not engaged and challenged by the gaming portion of the application, it does not seem likely that they will be engaged with the learning aspects either.
I would be interested to hear your opinion on it, so try the sample game and let me know what you think.
