Free Online Educational Game and Rubric Review :Free Online Educational Game and Rubric Review


Basic Information :Basic Information Game Name: U.S. Geography Games: Capitals Game URL: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm Subject: Geography Grade: 5th grade


Basic Rubric Information :Basic Rubric Information Scored on a four to one scale 14 criterion divided into 4 sub-criterion: Aesthetics: graphics, layout, & sounds Instruction: directions, purpose, content accuracy, load time and downloads, and navigation Game-Based Learning: interests, feedback and levels Basic Website Information: grammar and spelling, contact information, and goals


How to Play :How to Play


Aesthetics :Aesthetics


Graphics :Graphics Simple and appropriate Good size Not necessarily interesting, but enhance learner understanding


Layout :Layout Usable layout May appear busy or boring It is easy to locate most of the important elements Attractive Organized by graphic elements and dividers Picture representations


Sound :Sound Sounds are thoughtfully edited and used only where they add to reader understanding of the content The sounds also relate to a certain game being played Instead of just saying “good job”, the sound is aligned with the game


Instruction :Instruction


Directions :Directions Brief Straight forward Specific word usage Specific to levels Different levels


Purpose :Purpose Obvious what student should learn, the purpose is not clearly stated Implies that game will teach US geography Grade level not specified


Content Accuracy :The GNU Free documentation license Cross-referencing The GPSS Curriculum standards for 5th grade social studies explains “3.5.1 Identify major places of the United States (e.g., states, capitals, rivers, lakes, mountain ranges)” Content Accuracy


Load Time & Download :Load Time & Download The game is fairly quick to download Requires extra downloads in order to function Mac or PC Dial-up versions


Navigation :Navigation Links are clearly labeled, consistently placed, allow the reader to easily move from a page to related pages, and take the reader where s/he expects to go Usually have to use the “back” button after game levels


Game-based learning :Game-based learning


Interests :Interests Levels Stats Score keeping Timed games Facts Graphics Region


Levels :Levels Levels are progressive Tutorial level: learning phase Beginner level: match capitals to states by region Intermediate level: similar as above, except without region divisions Expert level: match highlighted state to a list Cartographer level: type in first three letters of capital


Feedback :Feedback During and after Corrections & explanations Other related facts to further knowledge Scoring is clear Hints are minimal and count against score


Basic Website Information :Basic Website Information


Grammar & Spelling :Grammar & Spelling The game and website has no spelling (minor typos), punctuation, or grammar errors Pronunciation


Contact Information :Contact Information “Our staff is waiting to assist you with whatever you need. Feel free to contact us via any of the email links located below, and someone will be happy to get back to you within one business day. We welcome feedback!” Directions on how to contact if you are a PC or MAC sitesuggestions@sheppardsoftware.com


Goals :Goals Clearly stated: “To use multimedia to enhance learning. To design games with many difficulty levels. To make learning fun and memorable” Easy to locate


Why this game? :Why this game?