Platform: iOS Cost: $4.99
This week, I looked at a game that has been in the App Store for quite some time. I am on a search for games and simulations that can be used in the classroom. As such, I bit the bullet and purchased Dominant Species for iPad. As a former Science Teacher, and board game geek, I was looking for something that could help to teach evolution and natural selection. Dominant species does just that. Unfortunately, it can be a bit cumbersome for students to learn, as the rules are difficult to follow and hard to grasp in game. Take a look at my video review for examples of the Gameplay mechanic and my overall feelings of Dominant Species as an Educational Game.
The Video Review
Overall Rating
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Interface
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Engagement
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Education Value
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Productivity Value
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Game Value
Summary
Dominant Species is a game that works well in a classroom setting. In my previous science classroom, I used Dominant Species to teach students how environmental factors influence evolution and natural selection. When I started using the app in class, I noticed two things: this is a great game to play in pairs and having hard copies of the rules helps a great deal. The app is great for engaging students in a topic that is hard to understand, but the game itself does not fully help to articulate what is going on. By itself, this app is just a game. As a teacher you will need to decode the app to make sure it is educational in your classroom.