MathBlaster

Math Blaster is an educational game targeting 5-6^th graders.  It is designed to inspire and encourage learning through game play.  We know sometimes children may struggle in the main subjects such as math and reading, but I came across this online math game, it helps enhance mathematical skills.  I did have some trouble install in at first, but I finally succeeded.

When you first aboard the spacecraft, you have to create and personalize your avatar.  You choose the gender, skin tone, hair color, eyes, and you can even make it look like an alien.  You do choose their name, and they have silly names.   After you have completed your personal avatar, you can go to the Larvae room and a pet larva will choose you and he becomes you pet or sidekick throughout space.  He also becomes your responsibility. You must take care of your larvae, so he will grow into a mutt and you can enter him into different competitions.   He can also build your points and merits.  This game reminds me of the Sims.

The objective is for your kids to tackle the math training activities, and they will earn merits and achievements. When they earn merits, the kids will climb the ranks in the Intergalactic Space Patrol (ISP), and their Blaster’s uniform will be upgraded! While participating in ISP training activities, the kids will learn to protect the space station and far-away galaxies, and they will also build math skills.

Final Thoughts

I really found this game to be educational, because of the different math quizzes that are given to help reinforce what the child already know.  I rate it as an eight, because of the overall concept of the game, to help children in their math skills.

Learning-   It keeps learning interesting and fun for the child.

Visuals-  I liked the graphics, they are very bright, has that outer space look.  It keeps your attention, not boring, always a change of scenery.

Controls – You have to use your arrow keys along with a few alpha keys.  They do give you a little cheat sheet to show you what keys to use.

Simulations – You create and personalize your avatar.

Strategy-  Building math skills. You must be familiar with multiplication.

Audio –You have that outerspace music along with a narrator telling you what to do next.

Score-  You build your score through completing your math activities/quizzes, entering your mutt in battle challenges.

Mathblaster

Mathblaster is a mathematical game targeting 6th graders.  In this game you able to select the MUTT (an alien like creature)you want to be. After searching for more in depth games, I came across this one.  I registered myself and daughter, who is sixth grader and  had issues installing it.

I really want to play it and see if it could be a good resource my daughter could use in her math studies.

From the looks of the cover it could be fun and educational.

Woofster's Puppy DayCare

Game Play


The objective of this game is to get kids to associate words from the dictionary to the given pictures.  The child is learning to take care of the puppy through action word association.  To begin with the child is given one puppy to take care of, he or she must place the proper action word over the correct picture appearing over the puppy.  They are given three action words, feed, bath and brush.  One of those pictures will appear over the puppy's head and the child must select the correct word and click and drag it over the puppy's head.  After the child has properly matched each word with the picture the puppy grows to the next size and another puppy is placed in the fenced area and another word is added.  Then the player is back repeating those actions until they max out at three puppies and five action words from the dictionary.  This is the total game play.  When the player has successfully cared for the puppies the are given a Puppy Care Giver badge which they can print out.  pbskid.org/superwhy/#game/puppydaycare

First Thought

While playing this game, I understood the concept of the game but over a time period it became boring, because it was very repetitive and each round had no progressional challenge for the player.  I even let my six year old, play the game.  This was his reply, "Mama, you got to be kidden me, this is boring, and I already know this stuff."  Moving on.  Understand this, this is the comedian of the family.

Final Review

I give this game a 6, although the concept is good, there is no challenge for the growing mind.  It lacks the ability to stimulate a child's mind to progress further.

Visuals:  The graphics are pretty much primary.  It is competing against more dynamic graphics, today.

Learning:  The learning curve is very limited, seeing there are more words in the dictionary.

Controls: The user interface is self-explanatory, Just click on it and drag it to the desired location.

Score:  You will receive a badge at the end of a successful round of play

Audio:  Nothing catchy, repetitive sound.

Overall Game Play:  It was boring to me and my six year old.  There was no depth.