What are we as parents and teachers most worried about over the summer? That kids will lose that education sharp edge. It will be dulled by sun and sand and something else.
Worry no more. Here’s your cure: learning disguised as play (inspired by the fascinating website, Playful Learning). Kids will think they’re playing games, but they’ll actually be participating in some of the leading [mostly] free simulations available in the education field. A note: some must be downloaded and a few purchased, so the link might take you to a website that provides access rather than play:
- Bridge Builder—learn how to design and test bridges
- Dimension U–games that focus on math and literacy–fee-based
- Electrocity—how does electricity contribute to the growth of communities
- iCivics—experience what it means to be part of a democracy
- Second Life—simulates just about anything if you can find it
- West Point Bridge Building Contest–build a bridge for the right price and win a contest
Economics/Money
- Admongo–explore, discover and learn about online ads while playing a game
- Coffee Shop—run a coffee shop business
- Lemonade Stand—run a lemonade stand business
History
- Civilization--Sid Meier’s Civilization game (fee required)
- History Mystery–play the game
- History Simulations–fee and free
- Making History: The Great War—WWI strategy game
- Mission US–students role play the American Revolution or the Civil War
- Past/Present—life as an American immigrant in the early 1900’s
Math
- Adventures of Jasper Woodbury–fee based but great reputation for teaching math in a game environment
- Dimension M–math simulations, MS and HS–well-reputed
- Math by Design--design with math
Problem Solving
- CSI Online Adventure
- Quandary–an ethics problem solving game from MIT
Programming
- SimTower—learn how to
Science
- Minecraft (links to MinecraftEdu—fee required)
- Science simulations—lots of choices at 7th grade level
For more, visit Larry Ferlazzo’s great list of Choose your own adventure sites AND Cybraryman‘s comprehensive multi-subject list here (or just click his link and browse).
Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.
