Mission: Migration - Game Review

The game, Mission: Migration, by the National Audubon Society is a game intended for young audiences although I have to admit I was entertained for a bit trying to perfect my score. In this game, the player chooses a bird to lead the flock in their migration. It begins with an easy flight over a rural area where the player has to steer the flock clear of airplanes and thunder clouds. These hazards will cause the flock to loose energy. In addition, the player has to flap the wings at the right time to conserve energy and catch jet streams to reach the finish line faster. Once you reach the finish line, the player has to land the flock to re-energize and it is here where the learning begins.

When landing, players are informed of things to look out for and it helps the player realize how everyday objects we use can impact the migration of birds. As the player progresses through the levels, play becomes more difficult as birds encounter more challenges in urbanized areas. Over all, I think that this is a great game for elementary or young middle school children to teach them about their impact on the natural world. The play was not too difficult and keeps the attention of the player. For young players who may not be used to reading long passages, this game seemed a better fit than some other games on the site.

The second that really caught my attention was the Free Rice game. I had played the game before and I think it may have been in one of the classes in the past. In this game, players are given a word and have to select its meaning. For every correct answer, the organization donates 20 grains of rice to the UN World Food Program. Students are often motivated to complete a task when they know that they are contributing in a positive way to the world. One challenge I have teaching AP World History is that students still have a limited vocabulary that interferes with their reading comprehension. This game provides a meaningful way to learn vocabulary. The creator, John Breen, created the game after watching his son study for the SAT. It is an example of how technology can be used by anyone to make a world of difference.