For many children, learning math can generate stress and frustration from not getting the expected results. This stress lies mainly in the way math is taught, specifically with outdated and boring methodologies. The way it’s taught causes children to perceive math in a non-relatable way, distant and without relevance. However, we use math every day which is why it’s fundamental.
At 7 Generation Games we make educational video games that make you smarter. We also provide complimentary educational material for educators such as PowerPoint Presentations, PDFs, videos, clip art, lesson plans, and everything you need to make learning fun.
First things first
- An educational video game is multimedia software designed to transmit knowledge.
- It allows the interaction of information and training with the user using an attractive theme for the player while including recreational teaching methodologies.
- Among the main factors to consider before choosing educational video games are compatibility, content (age level), and topics.
5 Cool Educational Video Games under 5 bucks
There’s a wide range of video games in today’s market. This can be confusing when choosing the right one for learning purposes. That is why, in this section, we want to show you 3 awesome video games available that you can use to teach, learn, and practice math for less than 5 bucks!
Fish Lake
Recommended Grades 4-6
Math: Fractions
History: Ojibwe (Chippewa) History, Plains Indians
In this game players practice fractions while learning math problem-solving strategies. They’ll also be introduced to Native American history. Watch out for poisonous snakes! Canoe through the rapids. Find enough food for your village’s survival.
Making Camp Premium
Recommended Grades 3- 5
Math: Multiplication and Division
History: Ojibwe (Chippewa) , Plains Indians
English: Idioms, synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, homophones
In Making Camp Premium, players practice multiplication and division skills while learning math problem-solving strategies. They’ll also be introduced to Native American history.
Making Camp: Bilingual
Recommended Grades 3- 5
Math: Multiplication and Division
History: Ojibwe (Chippewa), Plains Indians
In Spanish and English
Whether you are teaching English language learners or want a fun app to expand your Spanish vocabulary, Making Camp Bilingual fills the bill. Packed with videos and activities, players practice multiplication and division skills while learning math problem-solving strategies. They’ll also be introduced to Native American history. Earn points by solving math problems and answering social studies questions in the village-building simulation game.
Forgotten Trail
Math: Fractions, Multistep Problem-Solving
History: Ojibwe (Chippewa) History, Plains Indians
Forgotten Trail runs on Mac, Windows or Chromebook, plays in any browser. No download required. It follows two teenagers who apply their knowledge of fractions, decimals, measurement and statistics to retrace the Ojibwe migration through the U.S. and Canada. We fit in the cultural part through stories and flashbacks.
Aztech: Meet the Maya
Math: Statistics
History: Latin America, Maya
Mr. Gonzalez told you not to touch that book! Now, you’re in the Mayan jungle. Use your knowledge of statistics and history to survive. AzTech: Meet the Maya can be played in English or as a bilingual English/Spanish experience. AzTech Games is the FIRST fully bilingual, cross-curricular math adventure game series on the market. The language of instruction is controlled by the player on every single page within the game, including text, audio, and video content.
Shopping guide
Buying an educational video game can be a complicated choice for many, you can easily choose one compatible with your computer and that’s it. However, this does not guarantee that it is appropriate for the user. Therefore, it is important to consider some factors to make the right choice.
What is an educational video game and what advantages does it have?
An educational video game is multimedia software designed to transmit one or more topics in a fun and entertaining way. The information within educational video games is usually incorporated in a topic of interest to the player, allowing a less tense learning environment than that provided in the school environment.
In educational video games, gamification plays a fundamental role in generating motivation for the player, since it is the use of techniques, elements, and dynamics of the games to encourage the search for solutions, a problem, improve productivity, achieve a goal and activate learning through rewards.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Train cognitive skills
Therapeutic utilities Increase competition and self-esteem Delivers leisure and entertainment Promotes concentration |
Its unsupervised use can create addiction Requires devices for use It can create a sedentary lifestyle |
Qualification of educational video games – What should you pay attention to?
When choosing which product to buy, it is important to take into account features and functionalities that suit your tastes and not choose solely for the aesthetic design of the characters or price of the video game.
Next, we want to show you what are the main factors to consider when buying an educational video game to make a good purchase choice:
Compatibility
This is one of the most critical factors when choosing a video game, because you could end up buying one that does not run on your mobile device, tablet or computer. We recommend you check the manufacturer’s specifications to make sure that the games you are going to buy are compatible with your mobile device, tablet or computer. 7 Generation Games has games available for iOS, Android, Chromebooks, iPad, Mac and Windows devices.
Content
The content of a video game is a key factor when buying one. Not choosing the right one for you or your loved ones could cause psychological consequences attributed mainly to the level of violence and sexual content present in those games intended for a public of legal age or at a stage close to maturity – in the case of the M- rating.
We recommend you always pay attention to the rating or recommendation of content by the manufacturer so that it is appropriate for the person who will play it. If you are looking for an educational video game to share with the family, the suggestion is to choose an international rating video game E.
(Photo: Andriy Popov/ https://es.123rf.com/search.php?word=videogame&sti=mlb9079nc4lrwk6las|&mediapopup=60869581)
Topics
It is important to know what topics are covered in educational video games to be able to measure if the proposed learning can really be achieved. In this sense, we recommend that you carefully read the information provided by the manufacturer, this can be found in the description of the video game either in an app store or on the manufacturer’s website.
How much do average educational video games cost?
There are educational video games of different prices, some more accessible than others. Pricing usually depends on the release date, number of updates, and other factors. You can find free educational video games and other paid educational video games for up to an average of $10.
Remember that in general the newer the video game you want to buy, the higher its price. Also, don’t forget that you must have a device such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer to use them. There are options for all budgets, whose value will depend on the popularity of the released title.
Where to buy?
You can find a wide variety of educational video games in app stores such as Google Play Store, Microsoft Store, and the Apple App Store. You can also find them on EdTech companies’ official websites, like ours! On our website, you can find all of your questions answered regarding gameplay, installation, system requirements and more on our Support page. If you don’t see your question answered there then you can also get help from a human by contacting us. Check out our games and buy them by clicking here.
