Link to the game: Penguin Party Addition
About the game:
"Penguin Party Addition" is a game whereby children get to feed the penguins by using the mouse and clicking on the penguin with the correct answer displayed on its tummy. There is no time limit and the child is permitted to take as long as he/she desires. The child's score is displayed on a board in the background, showing the total number of right and wrong answers.
The first screen, prompting you to choose between two modes. For preschoolers, the "Normal" mode is advised.Ease of Use: 4/5
Directions are clearly stated as seen from the above screenshot, and it uses simple English, making it relatively easy to follow for a preschooler. Furthermore, having played the game over 5 times without any interruptions due to technical or system errors, it can be said that the website the game is based on is reliable. Exiting the game is also easy - the window just needs to be closed; the website will not prompt for the user to stay. However, there is no way to restart the game without refreshing the page, and it can be a hassle.
Directions are clearly stated as seen from the above screenshot, and it uses simple English, making it relatively easy to follow for a preschooler. Furthermore, having played the game over 5 times without any interruptions due to technical or system errors, it can be said that the website the game is based on is reliable. Exiting the game is also easy - the window just needs to be closed; the website will not prompt for the user to stay. However, there is no way to restart the game without refreshing the page, and it can be a hassle.
The second screen, prompting you to choose between 5 levels of difficulty. For preschoolers, "Level 1" is a good start.Ability Levels: 4/5
As seen from the two screenshots above, it is possible for the teacher/parent to set the difficulty level according to the child's mathematics competence. If a child successfully completed "Level 1" without much difficulty, perhaps the "Super" mode instead of "Normal" mode could be selected to make it more challenging and more exciting for the child. To make it even more challenging, "Level 2" could be selected on "Normal" mode - there are infinite possibilities to explore! In that sense, this game covers a range of abilities/skills and thus, cater to children of different age groups as well as individual competency. Although the game does automatically advances the user to the next level, it does allows the user - in this case the teacher/parent - to control the difficulty of the game.
As seen from the two screenshots above, it is possible for the teacher/parent to set the difficulty level according to the child's mathematics competence. If a child successfully completed "Level 1" without much difficulty, perhaps the "Super" mode instead of "Normal" mode could be selected to make it more challenging and more exciting for the child. To make it even more challenging, "Level 2" could be selected on "Normal" mode - there are infinite possibilities to explore! In that sense, this game covers a range of abilities/skills and thus, cater to children of different age groups as well as individual competency. Although the game does automatically advances the user to the next level, it does allows the user - in this case the teacher/parent - to control the difficulty of the game.
When the "correct" penguin is selected, it will get fed and exclaim "Yum!" The score on the scoreboard will also change.
When the "wrong" penguin is selected, a red "X" will appear on its belly. This narrows down the number of choices the child has, allowing him/her to rethink the question to get the correct answer.Technical Quality (Audio): 3/5
The looping music is happy and matches the arctic theme/background of the game. However, instead of sounds of the fish being tossed to the penguin to feed it, the sound that plays on a correct or wrong answer throws the user off. Although the word "Yum!" appears on a correct answer, it is disappointing to note that there is no audio of someone saying "Yum!" on a right answer.
Technical Quality (Visual): 3/5
The graphics are simple and repetitive, as are the animation used. There is no surprise element to the game, and can get boring when played too many times. It is difficult to maintain the interest of a child, especially when they had already completed the same level/mode several times. However, little details, such as the mouse pointer being changed to a hand holding a fish when playing the game, adds to the visual appeal of the game.
The looping music is happy and matches the arctic theme/background of the game. However, instead of sounds of the fish being tossed to the penguin to feed it, the sound that plays on a correct or wrong answer throws the user off. Although the word "Yum!" appears on a correct answer, it is disappointing to note that there is no audio of someone saying "Yum!" on a right answer.
Technical Quality (Visual): 3/5
The graphics are simple and repetitive, as are the animation used. There is no surprise element to the game, and can get boring when played too many times. It is difficult to maintain the interest of a child, especially when they had already completed the same level/mode several times. However, little details, such as the mouse pointer being changed to a hand holding a fish when playing the game, adds to the visual appeal of the game.
The screen shown at the end of the game. It challenges the user to try to beat a certain score in order to get to the high score table.Overall Rating: 14/20
The game is a good way for children to pass the time while helping them to practice the concept of addition. However, this is not a good game to introduce to children if it is being used for a long time as it lacks the graphics and audio appeal and "surprise" factor to keep them occupied for long periods of time.
The game is a good way for children to pass the time while helping them to practice the concept of addition. However, this is not a good game to introduce to children if it is being used for a long time as it lacks the graphics and audio appeal and "surprise" factor to keep them occupied for long periods of time.
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