How do we use SPORE in education/training/learning?
SPORE Testing not going well ;-)
Why? The kids are on it during the times that I have to play. Okay, so that's not entirely true. I have played for a few hours and reached the Tribe level.
For starters, its a beautiful game. The attention to detail is incredible. I love the look and feel of the game. Its cool that I recognize some of the characters as my creations or those of my kids. The kids REALLY love that part. My 7 year old now knows the different between an herbivore and carnivore. She very quickly learned that being carnivorous means you need to eat other "creatures" in order to stay alive and that did not go over well...at first. They are very happy getting to the stage where they can evolve to being omnivorous.
Speaking of evolving. I don't understand what all the hubbub is about evolution being a theme. Other than the fact that it IS the main visual layer and story line, the key learnings are NOT about evolution as a theory. Anyone thinking that kids will lean towards evolution and away from creationism because of this game is obviously NOT a game player. Its about as much about evolution as Chess is about war, or the Sims is about LIFE! The game, like every other game is about learning rules and making choices based upon those rules in order to win. Winning in this case is simply getting to move on to the next phase.
Did i miss something? What do you think?
For starters, its a beautiful game. The attention to detail is incredible. I love the look and feel of the game. Its cool that I recognize some of the characters as my creations or those of my kids. The kids REALLY love that part. My 7 year old now knows the different between an herbivore and carnivore. She very quickly learned that being carnivorous means you need to eat other "creatures" in order to stay alive and that did not go over well...at first. They are very happy getting to the stage where they can evolve to being omnivorous.
Speaking of evolving. I don't understand what all the hubbub is about evolution being a theme. Other than the fact that it IS the main visual layer and story line, the key learnings are NOT about evolution as a theory. Anyone thinking that kids will lean towards evolution and away from creationism because of this game is obviously NOT a game player. Its about as much about evolution as Chess is about war, or the Sims is about LIFE! The game, like every other game is about learning rules and making choices based upon those rules in order to win. Winning in this case is simply getting to move on to the next phase.
Did i miss something? What do you think?
Comment
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Comment by Adam Clarke on April 20, 2009 at 2:15am - I think it is less about science and more about personalised play - making your own unique creature is the key element for me - as is opens up a creative journey to the user and offers lots of opportunities for imaginative learning - be that English, maths science. I am working on an environmental comic book with a secondary for example.
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Comment by Ryan Swindoll on October 18, 2008 at 9:32am -
"Anyone thinking that kids will lean towards evolution and away from creationism because of this game is obviously NOT a game player. Its about as much about evolution as Chess is about war, or the Sims is about LIFE!"
Well said. I totally agree, Brent. There are some simple science principles there, like the struggle of survival and the sociology of competition/cooperation, but Spore's philosophical basis hugs the line between evolution and creation. I've been trying to tease a few of these thoughts out at http://sporeducation.com
Cheers!
Ryan
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