Context Examples:
SIM CITY EDU
Context Type(s): Real/ Simulated
Location: https://www.glasslabgames.org/games/SC
Description:
Developed by the testing guru Pearson, SIM CITY EDU allows students to show their thinking skills! They must systematically reduce pollution while improving the economy in a virtual city. The Pollution Challenge is made of four different missions centered around the theme of environmental impact. Students must solve increasingly complex problems. Their every digital action is tracked as the students try to reduce pollution while also improving the economy in a virtual city. This simulation can be used as a summative assessment in the classroom.
Target Population: Grades 6-8
Worthwhile learning outcomes categories learned and/or applied:
Evaluate effect of resource changes on a population
Defining a problem and developing a solution
Evaluating human impact on an environment
Communicating with others
Use Systems Thinking to make judgements and decisions
Math Goodies- Math Webquests
Context Type(s): Problem Solving
Location: https://www.glasslabgames.org/games/S
Description:
This site of math specific webquests enable online explorations in mathematics. Each of the webquests provides the student with an unique exploration designed that is engaging and meaningful. The webquests make connections between mathematics and the real-world. Students who complete the webquest are fully engaged in not only finding new information but also learning from it.
Target Population: Middle and High School Students
Worthwhile learning outcomes categories learned and/or applied:
Make connections to make concepts and the real world
Problem solve
Utilize provided web-based resources
Initiate higher order thinking skills
Jamestown Online Simulation
Context Type(s): Problem Solving/Simulated
Location: http://www.historyglobe.com/jamestown/
Description:
Students embark on a journey as a member of the London Company voyaging to Jamestown and the captain of the colony. Along the way, they must make several decisions that impact the report of the state of their colony based on food, health, wealth, and moral of the colonists in their hands. They must learn to communicate with the Native Americans and fellow colonists throughout the journey, but who do they trust?? Students will have the opportunity to then compare their colony to the historical Jamestown settlement. There, students will learn from the mistakes of history!
Target Population: Upper Elementary Students
Worthwhile learning outcomes categories learned and/or applied:
Communication
Defining a problem and developing a solution
Problem solving
Evaluation of how decisions impact outcomes
Cause and effect relationships
Self-Evaluation