The game that I chose to explore is located on PBS kids website, it is called Hamster Run. There were many things that I considered when picking what game I was interested in exploring. Some things that went into picking a game was the ability for the students to have choices while playing. Another thing that I considered when looking for a game was making sure that it was not drill and practice based. The final thing that I took into consideration when looking for a game was to make sure that all students no matter what level would be able to interact and move through the game at their own pace. 

The first thing that I considered when looking for a game was to make sure that the students are able to have choices. When students are able to have choice they engage in deeper, richer learning, and they often display more on-task behavior. When teachers allow students to have choice students social and emotional learning also increases. Choice gives students many benefits and is most powerful when used with purpose. In our game the students are able to get a variety of choices from the hamster that they use at each level. As well as to the shapes to use to get the hamsters to where they want to go.

The next thing that I considered when looking for a game was making sure that it was not drill and practice. This method has many drawbacks when it comes to learning. Teachers need to make sure that when having students practice, there is a clear link between concept and action. Students should be able to relate what they are doing to what they are learning. The drill and practice method for students to work with. In our game the students are able to use a variety of shapes to get the hamster to where they need to go taking away the drill and practice. Each student has to come up with their own way to get the hamster to where they need to go. The hamster in the top corner provides instruction and different facts about the shapes during the run.

The final thing that I thought about when researching a game was to make sure all students are able to work through each level at their own pace. Online games have many different benefits for the learner. Some of which include an increase of a child’s memory capacity, helps with fast strategic thinking and problem-solving, develops hand-eye coordination, and helps the students with skill building. Each level in a game assists the learner in gaining these benefits. Overall, it took a lot of time and dedication when researching a game to explore. In our game each student has to work through the levels to unlock the next. Each student can work through each level at their own pace.