Mini-Tech Review: Chloro Fill

Chloro Fill is a "Mad Bomber (catch in a bucket)"-type game based on plants' food production. It is found at the Ball State Science Literacy Project, http://www.bsu.edu/slp/ . The game allows students to explore what they know about photosynthesis and and the products plants need to make their own food.

One of the things that I think makes a big impact on this game as a learning tool.is that the students learn by inquiry-that is, the game doesn't address the topic until after they have played a round. This allows them to learn by trial and error, to learn from their mistakes and make what they do better each time.

When looking at the list of criteria, this game meets every one of the items, making it a very valuable learning experience. The whole concept of the topic being driven by competition, to get a higher score each time, also will make students want to play it and learn to do better. The only obstacle I can see would be students not wanting to go to the more information button, which explains the process of photosynthesis. I would make this a requirement after the first round pf playing, and have them draw a diagram based on the one presented in the information. This way the students will understand they are learning, but also they are having fun while they learn.