Math+4+Raft+Race+(Brooke)

Math 4 Raft Race I played many games before deciding to really focus on Math 4 Raft Race. I wanted to find a game that I could integrate into my kinder classroom but that was not happening. Math 4 Raft Race is a mathematical game that has players use math skills to find supplies to build a raft before the race starts. The players need to complete tasks in four different areas to earn their supplies. At the beginning of each store (level) there is a short story about what you will need to be working on. There is an option to skip the story if you are ready to get right to work. As you navigate through the store there are tips on how to answer upcoming questions. Once you have answered enough questions to receive one item from each of the four stores you can build your raft and race. I did not get to this part even after playing for over an hour.  My patience were tested with this game. I played what I felt was long enough to be able to race a raft but I never got to that point. “The problems address Number Sense, Patterns, Variables and Equations, Measurement, 2-D & 3-D Shapes, Transformations, Data Analysis, and Probability” (Moore, G).
 * (4 points) A brief description of the game. You may include images or even video clips to help give readers a better idea of the game.
 * (5 points) The kinds of learning involved (i.e. What specifically did you learn from playing the game?). Think about the game tasks, objectives, terminology, etc. What skills did you need to learn to be successful at the game? Note that many 'educational' games don't actually teach new content area skills, but rather allow students to practice skills they've already learned elsewhere.

Math 4 Raft Race taught me through positive feedback and instruction. The Explicit Information On-Demand and Just-in-Time Principle was used with the stories that would direct you on what task to complete and the directions for the math questions. The Multiple Routes Principle is used because the player can pick between the four stores and within that there are many options of which question to answer first. The Text Principle is used to inform players of what is needed to complete the task at the store they are in.
 * (5 points) The kinds of teaching involved (i.e. How did the game teach you?). Think about the kinds of feedback, rewards, guidance, and information the game gave you, and how it paced and structured your learning. Which Principles of Learning did the game utilize?

If I were teaching a higher grade level I would definitely have this game available to reinforce concepts that we were working on. I could setup some of my higher students on this game to challenge them in a fun way. I would like to have the option for teachers or parents to monitor a player's progress so I would know what content needs more instruction. I would use this game at home with my kids!
 * (6 points) Your overall reflections on playing the game. How might a teacher use the game in their curriculum?

References: Moore, G. (n.d.). Learn Alberta - Interactive Math. Retrieved May 3, 2015.