my evaluation of a game

The game I evaluated was 1066.

Educational Games Evaluation Form

Name of the Game: 1066

Name of Publisher: channel 4 (2009)

 

Give a one line summary of the game

A historical war game using problem solving skills.

   

Overall rating 1-5 (1 low – 5 high)

4

Comment on;

Suitability; age, ability, interest

I believe it can be used for any child studying history during key stage 2 onwards. It is essential for the player to understand how to use basic keys on the computer and be aware of the techniques to fight when at war. It would also be a benefit if they understood the aim of the game before playing. Personally, I think this is more of a game for the male gender rather than the female gender.

 

Enjoyable and challenging

The game could be quite challenging if the player isn’t confident when using the keyboard and mouse at the same time. There is no need for the player to be highly academic in history as the game itself gives you a story to explain at the start. It’s an enjoyable game with a competitive streak.

 

Does it PROMOTE any of the following?

                                                Yes          No

Creativity                           x

 

Collaboration                     x

Discovery                                        x

Higher-order thinking         x

Problem solving                 x

 

 

 

Is it MOTIVATIONAL?

                                                                           Yes    No

Student controls pacing                            x

Stimulates curiosity                                   x

Challenging, are their different levels?      x

Real-world connections                             x

 

Comment on the;

 

Strengths

The games strengths are probably the animations and music combined. With the use of animation and sound the game is able to give an educational story at the beginning in order for the player to be fully aware of the aims and objectives of the game. The game was full of different skills for the player to develop and incorporate into different stages in the game. Weaknesses

The game is only targeted for one gender. It’s more of a male orientated game rather than a history game for any child during education. Maybe by involving females into the war it could help to increase the interest of females.

 

Learning effectiveness

I believe the story at the beginning helps the learning throughout the game by remembering the aims of the game and understanding the wars and the groups from the past. Most children prefer to remember a fact etc by linking it to something else in order to never forget, in this instance the game might benefit the child or player in this way.

   
Your recommendations/comments

I would recommend that the game is of more interest to females, however, other than that I believe the game is of high standard and very educational.