Physicsgames.net: Physics games for interactive whiteboards and touch screens that you can embed on your website!

I have collected lots of resources for interactive whiteboards and other touch-screens, such  all-in-one Touch PC's such as the Dell and HP TouchSmart.  Some are optimized for use on mobile devices such as the iPhone, iPad, and Droids.  

I'd like to highlight a few online interactive educational games on this blog from time-to-time.

The PhysicsGames site is full of games that can be embedded into a blog or web page, making it easy for teachers and parents to organize and arrange the games as they see fit.  This feature also lets students do the same.

On the main page of the website, the games are arranged in alphabetical order, with picture icons for each game.  The titles of the games and the pictures on the icons give you a quick idea of what each game is about.  The games were created by a variety of developers, professionals, teachers, and if I'm not mistaken, tech-savvy students.

Below are links to the various categories of physics games found on the site. The games I explored all had music and sound effects, so make sure that the sound is turned on!  (Note: The site is supported by sponsors, but the advertising is not annoying-in many cases, you can skip the ads.)

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Cross-posted on the Interactive Multimedia Technology blog.

Games and Learning

Someone recently asked me this question:

"If you look at Sim type games, for example Roller Coaster Tycoon, these are without question games that are filled with lessons and real-world applicable knowledge. Do you think kids go into a game like this knowing they're learning useful skills?"

My response, slightly edited:

I have two young adult daughters, and I'm an aunt - my nieces and nephews ages range from 12 -19. I've watched kids play games for years. From my perspective, the younger kids DO understand that they are learning.

The missing link? Adults who understand what kids are learning, and who also have the means to help mediate this learning in a meaningful way. We don't have many tools to support parents and educators with this task.

That's why I think adults need some brushing up to do. I think all parents and educators need to read a bit of James Gee, Mark Prensky, Henry Jenkins, etc.

Ideally, all games should come with a parent/educator "friendly" set of directions, so that they can understand what the game is about, and also learn how to play it without having to rely so much on the kids.

(This concept is what I call "Guiding the Guider", a concept that applies to a variety of situations, such as the use of technology in the health care fields, including elder care.)

Personally, I'd love it if games came with a "silly adult" mode, sort of like a training mode, but with more information about the deeper structure of the game and the "lessons" that it can teach.

I also think that schools need to spend some time beefing up the curriculum to address the skills students will need in the future, such as multimedia/visual literacy and technology.

Links:
Mark Prensky
Listen to the Natives

James Gee
What Video Games Have to Teach Us about Learning and Literacy

Henry Jenkins
Eight Myths about Video Games Debunked

Educational Games Research

On-line switch accessible games for children on the BBC website!

If you are a parent or teacher of a disabled child, here is some good news. The BBC reconfigured many on-line educational games for use with switches, which can be found on the CBeebies website.

The games can be easily adjusted to meet the needs of the user.


Here is a list I copied from the website that has links to all of the accessible games on the BBC's website:

Roly Mo, Snag a Snoot (single switch)

Teletubbies, Let's Count (single switch)

Teletubbies, Peek-a-boo(single switch)

Tots TV, Counting Song

(This works automatically with single switch).

Boogie Beebies: What am I? (single or double switch)

Razzledazzle: Chit Chat Chest (single or double switch)

Something Special: Old Macdonald's Farm (single or double switch)

Something Special: Transport Snap (single switch)

Tikkabilla: Emotion Theatre (single or double switch)

Tweenies: Startastic Captain Jake: (single or double switch)

Tweenies: Hide and Hear, the Adventures of Debbie Duck (single or double switch)

Tweenies: Make Music with Max (double switch)

"These games have not been as heavily modified, but they work with the keyboard as well as the mouse, which means they will also work with switches:"

Tweenies: The Enchanted Toyshop The 'next' button works with the spacebar.

Autumnwatch: Tigs' Quiz. This game works with the spacebar and return key.

Autumnwatch: Giggleswick Game This game works with the spacebar

Mama Mirabelle, Photo Match Game This game works with the spacebar

Jackanory: Rhyme Maker This game works with the spacebar. It is also strongly audio-driven, so should be good for children who cannot see.

DimensionM: Evolver Pre-Algebra video game from Tabula Digita

Tabula Digita has created a 3-D first-person videogame to teach pre-algebra concepts. Tabula Digita also offers a 3-D Algebra game, Dimenxian, available for PC's and Macs.

Here's some information from the website:

"DimensionM™is an immersive video game world that engages students in the instruction and learning of mathematics. Pre-algebra and algebra objectives are covered through a series of missions that bring math into a world that today's students understand. Students become so captivated in solving problems that they forget they're learning but they don't forget what they've learned."