Gaming has been used in a number of learning environments to help adults and children grasp new concepts easily. Gaming in education is nothing new, however Canadian firm SMARTeacher has given the idea an innovative new touch by developing a PC based mathematics games called Prodigy. The main point that sets the game apart from other competitors is its ability to recognize the emotions of the player. As children learn they go through different emotions and SMARTeacher pickups on these cues and adjust the game accordingly. This makes the learning process easier because the material being presented to the child is being tailored to their current emotional state.
SMARTeacher has created the game for both PCs and Macs and utilizes several different methods to help children learn. Children aged 6 to 11 are presented a wizard fantasy that guides them through 200 math skills. The immersive game environment is meant for math students from grades 1 to 5. Since the company is Canadian, the material in the game is aligned with Ontario’s Math Curriculum and the Common Core State Standards.
The makers of the software claim that Prodigy improves children’s skill proficiency by 15 percent. Another positive effect of the game is that it helps increase the children’s’ positive sentiments towards math by 24 percent. The most promising aspect of SMARTeacher’s Prodigy game is the wireless emotion-sensing bracelet. The device will be released in the first part of 2013 and is based on lie-detector technology. The bracelet has the ability to detect children’s emotions as they play the game and then make changes to the game play. One example is the game offering a hint to a problem if the software figures out a child is getting aggravated. Similarly, the Prodigy game can increase the difficulty of the game if a child gets bored. The educational software also offers very detailed reporting that focuses on results to help teacher and parent follow their kid’s performance.
The developers of the game offer a monthly subscription to the game and offer discounts for children being homeschooled.
Source: Spring Wise
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