Coincidentally, I received a sample of an educational video game, that I know would be perfect for her kids.
Time Engineers is video game/learning tools. If you remember Math Blasters, Where in the World is Carmen Santiago, and Learning Adventures, you will be glad to know that this game has made learning while
playing even easier, than those games that, by the way, are difficult to find for modern operating systems.
In just one hour sitting of playing this video game, I learned to write numbers in Binary code. I also determined how many men it would take to move a large block up a ramp and how steep that ramp would need to be, for optimum cost effectiveness. I.E. I figured out how to build a pyramid.
The game is built on time travel, where kids can visit different time periods to such as Egypt 2560 BC, London England 1940 BC, and France 1238 BC. Students can learn through trial and error (ideal for upper elementary and middle school) as I did in with the Pyramid exercise, or they can learn to use equations (ideal for 9th and 10th graders) as I did when writing binary code. This is just a sampling of what can be explored through this game.
If I had to give the game any criticism it would be that it is obviously a learning tool. While it is in game form, there is no mistaking the glaring educational value. I would love to see such a program that is a little more slick about presenting the educational side. I think that would get it more hours of playtime without them feeling like they are doing "schoolwork". Still, I know parents will love it, and homeschoolers especially will want to get their hands on a copy of this game for Christmas. It's hard to not justify buying something educational.
I am going to send Happy Elf Mom a copy of this game, just as a thank you for being so awesome. I have a couple more copies to give away, but to get it you need to help me get some attention to this blog post. Here's what you have to do:
1. Tweet this blog or blog about it post mentioning "Time Engineers Giveaway" or "Time Engineers Homeschool Special"
2. Use the following link in your post https://www.facebook.com/pages/Software-Kids/288483626760
3. Leave a comment here (to point me back to your post or tweet)
Learn more about Time Engineers:
"It is designed to enable a wider age group to experience the game and educational content. Because it is designed as a "trial & error" approach to science, technology, engineering, and math, younger kids (11 & 12 year olds) can do the simulations just by selecting different inputs to see how they relate to each other. Teens can dive deeper into the "info" sections on each simulation to see the data used and principles for each simulation. Older teens can do the math problems found in the info sections and work out their answer all on paper, then "plug-in" their answer in the simulations to see if their calculations are correct.
Sample game: Catapult Module Web Link: http://www.software-kids.com/
Subject Matter: Algebra (linear expressions), Physical Science and Technology (forces and motion, pulleys, gears) and History (Middle Ages)
1.Flight or trajectory of an object
2.Velocity and kinetic energy of an object
3.Conservation of Energy principle
4.Newton's second law of motion
Special for Homeschoolers: If you want to go ahead and get a copy, here is a “home school” link with a $5 savings to all home school parents. http://www.software-kids.com/
Deadline: I need to close this out by the 16th so I can get the winners copies in the mail before Christmas.
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