Note: This template is copyright K.Becker and may not be used without written permission.
Game: | link to game | Subject(s): | ?? |
Publisher: | link to publisher | Grade(s): | ?? |
Developer: | link to developer | Platform: | ?? |
Release: | ?? | Cost: | ?? |
Genre: | ?? | Time to Play: | ?? |
Perspective: | ?? | Teacher Time Investment | ?? |
Audience: | ?? | Stand Alone: | ?? |
Date of Review | ?? | |
Provide a summary of the review and the overall rating, out of 100.
explain
How is it as a game? Is it fun? Is it Interesting?
How does it measure up esthetically? This includes visual and auditory components.
Content & Originality
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Are the game elements well developed and appropriate for the game? Does it show original thought? Does it follow accepted norms for the genre? ~OR~ does it have new take on known genre? 1)
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Game Mechanics.
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What can you do in the game? Are the controls logical and easy to use? Does each 'level' fit the overall style of the game?
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Game Progression.
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The transitions between levels (which need not be traditional levels) go from simple to challenging and are smooth and appropriate for the game.
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Artistic Design
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Is it overall Visually Attractive? Does it make me want to try the game? Does it seem to be appropriate for the game?
Very pleasant looking. Everything hangs together thematically.
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Set, Settings, Characters & Costumes
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Does it seem to be appropriate for the game? Is it: Appealing. Distinctive. Sufficient variety. Original or appropriate.
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Audio
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Does it seem to be appropriate for the game? Is it: Appealing. Distinctive. Sufficient variety. Original composition or appropriately credited
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Is there adequate teacher support to make viable for use in a formal setting?
Teacher's guide
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exists and is easy to find. It is clear how to use this game. Includes: Description of game play.Content description (documentation) is well organized. I can see how the game will play. Any required special permissions/skills to install or run are clearly identified. Installation and execution processes are clearly identified and easy to read and follow.
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Plug and Play
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includes lesson plans with thorough instructions for using it in the classroom (or other target environment). Will not require large time investment to make it “teacher-ready”
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Supplementary resources
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for teachers (background, how to use, where to get help) exist, and are both complete and readable.
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A community
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exists where teachers can go for help, support, to share. It is clearly identified and easy to find.
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How well does it appear to deliver on its educational objectives?
(This is is an analysis performed without user studies, so it is not possible to verify this here. That is left to other methodologies.)
Instructional Strategies Are the instructional strategies appropriate for the learning outcome(s)?
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This relates to gameplay, but is specifically focused on how well the gameplay matches the intended educational objectives. For example, a guessing game or drill and practice may be appropriate for for learning anatomy, but not for Mendelian genetics.
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Objectives Does it appear to meet the educational objectives?
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It is not possible to guarantee that any particular objective will be met in an educational object like this, but it is possible to assess whether or not it provides the necessary 'raw materials'.
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Integration In a serious game it is essential that the desired learning outcomes be part of the required interactions of the game.
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Does it pass Becker's Lazy Test (BLT)? It should not be possible to get through by brute force or by random chance.
Are the educational objectives included among the required learning in the game? It should not be possible to get through the game while ignoring the learning objectives. The required learning in the game should be PART of the game and not only found in pop-up screens of text.
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Accuracy Does the game contain accurate information?
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Even though no game can be completely accurate, it is crucial that all of the facts associated with the learning objectives be correct, and that the needed concepts and principles are clear. There should be nothing here that is misleading.
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Assessment
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Is scoring in the game related to the learning content?
explain
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Where possible, links to studies using this game in educational settings are listed and studies cited.
How does it fare when viewed through the lens of the Magic Bullet Model?
This section examines the game through the lens of the Magic Bullet model to see how well the various learning elements are balanced. This looks at both the overall balance and the educational components
In each of these categories the rating is determined by how well the balance of the elements fits the type of game it is, its intended use and audience.
Overall Balance
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Is the relationship between the 4 main categories appropriate for this game given its intended use?
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Can vs. Must
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Is it possible to get through the game without learning anything (i.e. without meeting any of the educational objectives)?
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Operational vs Educational
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Is the required operational learning appropriate for the game's intended purpose?
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Educational vs Discretionary
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Is there an appropriate balance of learning and fun?
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General explanation goes here.
Not Scored
What instructional strategies does it use?
There's a great list <HERE> (Kelly Jo Rowan) and <HERE> (Saskatoon Public Schools) as well as HERE at the Survival Guide for Teachers Site
Not Scored
What theories, models, or principles were used in the design of this game?
For each theory checked, include a brief explanation.

I'm building a list of theories and principles here.