7b+Ruth+Schapira

1. Game URL (Jewish Holiday &Values) [|__http://www.jewishpeople.com/games/__] Presentation: the presentation is fairly simplistic, and geared toward a pre-school/very young population. The site uses basic coloration and graphics, has little sound, interactivity or movement. Content: The games are very easy to play and understand, but offer little in the way of true learning. For example there are match games, word scrambles, and picture tile games. They use mostly spatial skills. Construction: these games offer little in the way of constructivist learning. I would categorize them as ‘passing the time games’ because there’s very little high order thinking or problem-solving. Students may not be motivated to continue past one play with these games

2.Game URL (Torah) [|__http://www.bible-quiz.co.il/__] Presentation: the presentation, while simple, is crisp and clear. The graphics are modern, and there’s immediate reinforcement with sound when clicking. Content: The game offers quizzes on the Tanach up to Chronicles. There are multiple opportunities for customization: the number of questions, the amount of time, and level of difficulty. The information however is content oriented, so someone would have to remember names, places, lineage, etc. Construction: the quizzes don’t build on each other, so learning is rather linear.

3. Game URL (Israel) [|__http://www.my-jewish-games.com/__] Presentation: this site offers choices for Hebrew hangman, coloring book (really cute for budding computer users---teachers mouse control as well!), word search, and a language match game that can be played by much older students learning Hebrew. The graphics and Hebrew fonts are clear, modern, and there’s also sound reinforcement when clicking. Content: The games are simply designed and would not be able to accommodate advanced levels. Some of the games are not that useful, for example word searches do not teach higher order thinking skills. here are limited opportunities for customization. Construction: the quizzes are a mixed bag of levels but are all presented the same way, on the same page, and don‘t build on each other. The Israel geography game is for much older students, and gives quite a lot of historical and archeological detail for each city mentioned in the learn mode. In the play mode, there are options for number of questions. Ironically, when you get an answer right, it doesn’t say “correct” or congratulations, but ‘good answer’ a little ‘hold back’ there! The map has very limited interactivity, with no ability to zoom in or out.