Playing to learn:   COTS Games worth exploring

There are literally thousands of computer games on the market - so it can be a bit daunting if you're a non-gamer who is wanting to explore the use of games in learning.   To assist teachers to get started, we've compiled a list of ten popular games that teachers may wish to explore and evaluate for classroom use.

Microsoft Flight Simulator
www.microsoft.com/games/flightsimulatorx/
Suitable for : Middle to Senior Phase Students

Microsoft Flight Simulator has been used widely in classrooms to teach a broad range of mathematical, geographical and spatial concepts.   At Coolum State High School in Queensland, students have used this game to develop skills and knowledge across a number of key learning areas.   As part of a recent unit on Catchment Care, students used the game to navigate around the Caloundra to Noosa region to mark areas that defined where different catchment areas were.   They were able to see the presence of hills and mountains and this enabled them to see in 3D how the catchment systems are created at the sources and how topography affects the flow of the waterways. 

Civilization III
www.civ3.com/
Suitable for:  Middle and Upper Phase Students

Civilization III is an empire-building strategy game.   Within the game, the player takes on the role of building their own civilization that will stand the test of time.   Through the game, students match wits against some of history's greatest leaders as they engage in building, exploration, discovery and conquest in order to build the ultimate civilisation.    This game has been used as part of secondary history classes as both a stimulus for discussion and as a means of providing students with an opportunity to develop conceptual understandings relating to geography, world history and politics.

Viva Pinata
www.vivapinata.com

A new title on the market for the Xbox 360, Viva Pinata is set in an unspoilt, fantastic countryside which is inhabited by pinatas.    By creating an environment that is attractive to the pinatas, the player works to develop a sustainable community.   This game has enormous potential for use across all phases of learning and provides students with a highly creative, engaging environment to explore.     Students in Years 6 and 7 at Kurwongbah State School in Queensland are currently playing Viva Pinata as part of a unit titled 'It's Time - Caring for the Environment'.
Suitable for : All Levels

Stronghold Deluxe 2
Suitable for : Middle to Senior Phase Students

If you're exploring medieval life with your students, you can't go past 'Stronghold Deluxe 2' if you're wanting to bring the learning to life.   The game features an amazing 3D castle construction set, provides players with an opportunity to look at how medieval life unfolds and challenges players to become the greatest lord in the land.   Stronghold Deluxe has been successfully integrated into a medieval unit at Kallangar State School.   The components of this unit included comparing and contrasting medieval society with that of today, designing a castles and creating a simulation of an attack on a castle.

Talkman
Suitable for : Middle to Senior Phase Students

'Talkman' is a voice-activated translation package which is designed for use with the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP).    Talkman comes with a USB microphone which attaches to the top of the PSP so you can input the phrases you want Talkman to translate for you.  The package assists users to learn and translate a variety of languages including Japanese, English, German, French, Spanish and Traditional Chinese.   The package features a number of mini games that can help the player improve their accuracy with pronunciation and word identification.

The Movies
www.lionhead.com/themovies/
Suitable for : Middle to Senior Phase Students

At it's most basic level, The Movies is a simulation game where you take on the challenge of creating a 1930's Hollywood Studio from the ground up.    Within this game you run the studio, create the stars and make the movies.   The game provides numerous play modes that have potential for use in classrooms, including expert modes where the player can create their own scripts and films.   The game provides a creative way for students to explore the aspects of the film production process and films created using the game can be showcased online at the official game website.

Dr Kawashima's Brain Training - How old is your brain?
www.braintraining.com.au
Suitable for : All Levels

Brain Training for the Nintendo DS handheld has been inspired by the work of prominent Japanese neuroscientist, Dr. Ryuta Kawashima.   Brain Training features activities designed to help stimulate your brain and give it the workout it needs live solving simple maths problems, counting people going in and out of a house simultaneously, drawing pictures on the touch screen and reading classic literature out loud.   This software has been trialled with middle phase learning support students to explore the impact it can have on improving memory.

Rollercoaster Tycoon
http://www.atari.com/rollercoastertycoon/
Suitable for : Middle to Senior Phase Students

Simulation games such as Rollercoaster Tycoon have been used widely in education for many years.   Rollercoaster Tycoon is still one of the leaders in terms of quality and design.   It provides students with an opportunity to explore a range of mathematics and physics concepts as they take on the role of manager of their very own theme park.   The mathematics within this game is almost endless.   Students can explore statistics on the speeds, angles, weight and drops of each coaster or ride they create.  They can view dynamic real-time graphs that show rollercoaster speeds and visitor ratings and attendance statistics.   Rollercoaster Tycoon is used at West End State School in Brisbane.   Students were set task milestones within the game play including attaining certain ticket sale profits, repaying bank loans and other objectives pertaining to the success of the park.