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The game was easy to understand and play. By moving the different power generators to different areas it was easy to see how much electricity each would make in an area, with some creating 0 for being in the wrong place. But, when you complete a challenge, a lot of information is given on the lead power generator. It's not bad and not overpowering, but it doesn't actually help you finish the game, it becomes very educational. Better than a textbook, but could be more gamified, perhaps building the generators, or fixing them, with more info available as hints that teach, rather than heavy text. Still a great game! - Robert Rem

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The three of us enjoyed playing this game. The levels' difficulty increased at an appropriate rate for someone in this age group.  I asked my 11 year old what he learned: he said he learned how to strategically place the solar panels and how to wait until the last second to blast the vampires (so that one blast could take out multiple vampires, thus conserving energy).  We talked about the angle of the solar panels a bit, and talked about the solar panel that we use when we are camping. I could see how this game could facilitate discussion for younger kids. If an educator did a unit on environmental sustainability/energy, for this younger age group, this game would be a great "reward" activity!

For High School, this game is almost a complete waste of time. The learning outcomes described are barely addressed, and at times, not addressed at all. The game's list of Key Outcomes are  not much more than a list of broken promises. If a student is expected to learn about power and energy equations, then playing this game does not move anyone towards this goal. There are much better Physics games out there for this age group.  Below, I have linked one such website. It takes on different topics in physics, but at least one needs to apply scientific thought appropriate for high school students.

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The Universe and More - Educational Physics Games!

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Fun and educational physics games for students age 12+! Games that teach concepts of motion graphing, electricity and waves, each in an engaging, unique way

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I tried this one just because no one had tried it yet.  I found it very difficult to follow - very text heavy with needing to click on tutorial button often.  I completed the level but still didn't understand what I was learning.
In terms of design, it reminded me of games that my own children played when they were young, 20 years ago. I would image the students that would be using it now would find the design too simplified and would be put off right at the beginning because of it. If I wasn't trying it out for feedback purpose, I would have exited out of the game right away.
The game "evaluated" me on my dexterity to be able to guide the bacteria to the converter NOT on my knowledge for each stage.  I could see students bypassing the text they need to read at each stage (where the knowledge learning occurs) and just skip to playing the game.
Some very technical terms are referred to without giving the students the opportunity to make any connections to them.
One positive, is that is does allow the student to try again instead of just penalizing them and moving on to the next stage.
~Shannon H

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More Engineering Than Environmental Studies

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More Engineering Than Environmental Studies

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It seemed like the obvious learning outcomes were tied up in the explanation of the turbines, generators, and magnetic fields. In terms of the learning outcomes mentioned above, barely a few were featured or hinted at in the game. There was also little no explanation as to the rationale for the game. Why are we looking to use these alternatives? What's wrong with fossil fuels? Did I skip a window or a cut scene?  I tend to do that...

Scott P

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I found this game very interesting and I would personally use it within my own tech ed classroom. I really enjoyed the explanations and animations of generating power. This game is something I would use to help students understand how magnetic fields are created using generators. I believe this would help engage some of the students who may not see the value in this information otherwise. I find visual aids like this game help my students learn these concepts more easily than from a book.
- Marshall H

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I found the game easy to understand and play. The game teaches you about different power sources, alternative energy and how we generate electricity to power our lives. Moving different power generators to different areas help gamers see how much electricity each would make in an area with some creating 0 for being in the wrong pace. I really enjoyed explanations and animations of generating power. I see how it could help students understand how to use alternative energy devices to get power from the earth’s natural resources! When you complete a challenge, a lot of information is given on the lead power generator.

While I found it very informative, I am an “old school” learner, and would love a hand out to take notes on as I was learning. I found there was a lot of information given, and not a lot of time to absorb that information.

-Kat

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The Poo Power game has done a good job of using the identified language from the outcomes throughout the game. Then using simulation type games they are striving to drive home each of the outcomes. The games build upon the learning that has happened in the previous stage, which keeps the outcomes they are tackling fresh.
However, the game play doesn’t seem to advance (each level is essentially the same) and there is a lot of text and complicated descriptions. It seems like more of these outcomes could have been taught within the game play rather than in a text description.

--Tanya W.

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Playing this game re-enforced my notion of GBL. While I agree that the game could be used to augment learning and be provided as a modified support for students with challenges, it still seems to me that the GBL remains as a niche. As someone with a strong background in sciences and technology, playing this game had a few problems for me.

1. If the audience for this game is young children (K-7), there is an information overload on the initial onset of the game. There is math involved to find a total of 180 degrees, which is great. What isn't explained is that as long as you have found the right angle for the number, you can place as many panels it allows. For example, my angle was given: 180 - 58 - 90 - X = ? The corresponding answer is 32.
However, I could play down 2, 32 degree panels. Does that make my answer now 64? Followed up there are a bunch of numbers such as kWh. For this reason, I believe the game would be great as a support material after a traditional lesson is delivered.

2. If the game was for older students (8-12), it would be inefficient. There is not a lot of content being taught in the amount of time you have to spend to understand and play the game.

Derek Wong

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Interesting group demo, but maybe not an individual game

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Interesting group demo, but maybe not an individual game

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I thought this was a very straight forward activity, well suited for use on mobile devices, such as iPads, with some useful information on the mechanics behind different forms of power generation. The context was a bit lost, with little explanation of why different forms of power generation are needed and why some are better suited to certain locales. Also, once the mechanics are understood, the game becomes rather repetitive,  with little challenge or reward for completing the final task (unless the info at the end is supposed to be the reward).

By the time I completed the game, I felt it was something that was more suitable for a class demo - where the instructor could lead all the students through the activity as a means to introduce the different forms of renewable power generation. As a game for individual players, I felt it lacked complexity, and needed a bit more in the way of exploration, some form of reward system (points? badges?) and an opportunity for failure, to encourage kids to keep trying and experimenting.

That being said, I think it would make an awesome class demo/activity/hook for a unit.
Jonathan Nilson

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The game is easy to follow and the instructions are straight forward. I liked that we could change the options based on maximum energy it was offering.
It provided good learning and engaged the learners. The animation added more fun. I really enjoyed playing and actually did learn.
Zain

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I am not sure but it might be me... I was struggling through this game and tried couple of times, and was not able to win the 1st level. I thought the instructions were not very clear.  Zain