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Dragonbox - A Game Kids Want to Play, Teaching Algebra to 5-Year-Olds

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Dry Observer Dry Observer's picture
Dragonbox - A Game Kids Want to Play, Teaching Algebra to 5-Year-Olds
Imagine the implications if our relatively basic technology can be this effective in teaching the basics of algebra even to small children, in a compressed period of time. And yes, there are issues with figuring out how to integrate this huge leap into the classroom. But just think what even a rudimentary, worn (rather than implanted) Muse could accomplish by comparison. (Aside from the Lost, of course...) "Within a couple hours, most kids playing DragonBox will be able to start solving simple algebraic equations, and what’s more, they’ll be having fun and they may not even know they’re learning algebra at first. Also surprising is that they don’t even need to know basic arithmetic to play the game. I showed DragonBox to my five-year-old and she loved it, and didn’t even want me to play ahead because she wanted to be the one to unlock all the levels." http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/06/dragonbox/all/ And yes, the company is working on other educational games, ranging from basic arithmetic up to calculus... http://wewanttoknow.com/

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Decivre Decivre's picture
Re: Dragonbox - A Game Kids Want to Play, Teaching Algebra ...
This is exactly what the educational world needs. We need an entertainment medium by which we can use to educate people, not just in math but in almost all areas. Imagine how much faster people would learn if you could condense the learning into games and puzzles that would be just as fun as they are informative. But what would really kill 'em is if they made a unified education gaming system, complete with a number of games for a multitude of topics, interlinked and conjoined. With achievement systems and items to incentivize play. It would basically be one mega game, in some ways it would be the ultimate game. Because if my kids are going to be addicted to anything, I want them to be addicted to learning.
Transhumans will one day be the Luddites of the posthuman age. [url=http://bit.ly/2p3wk7c]Help me get my gaming fix, if you want.[/url]
Anarhista Anarhista's picture
Re: Dragonbox - A Game Kids Want to Play, Teaching Algebra ...
I absolutely support idea behind this game and I'm doing my (small) part in spreading the information in hope it stays and developers bite more challenging projects as Decivre mentioned... Otherwise watch Idiocracy from 2006 (if you didn't already).
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish.
nezumi.hebereke nezumi.hebereke's picture
Re: Dragonbox - A Game Kids Want to Play, Teaching Algebra ...
THANK YOU!! Purchasing now. Little minds need little numbers.
Decivre Decivre's picture
Re: Dragonbox - A Game Kids Want to Play, Teaching Algebra ...
After playing the game a little bit, I have to say that I'm impressed. I immediately spotted how the minigame was a metaphor for algebra, and the simple usage of monster caricatures makes the whole game potentially engrossing for kids. The only part that's disappointing is that it seems a bit simplistic. A storyline might be asking a bit much, but something to give kids incentive to keep playing might have been a good idea. Perhaps some growing game where they actually take care of monsters, and use the algebraic minigame to create their food or something. Otherwise, pretty awesome. Hoping they improve it and make more of this sort of thing. Edutainment needs good games.
Transhumans will one day be the Luddites of the posthuman age. [url=http://bit.ly/2p3wk7c]Help me get my gaming fix, if you want.[/url]