Multimedia Resources for Learning online

Luminosity- http://www.lumosity.com/

Luminosity is fun and interesting site with interactive multimedia games or brain exercises designed to improve memory and cognitive function. The games and activities have been designed by neuroscientists and target areas such as working memory, visual attention, fluid intelligence, and executive function. I signed up for a free account and played as many of the games that were allowed for that day, about 6 in all, I was told to return tomorrow for more games. You must register in order to use the site and you get free access to a number of activities per day. Once you register you can fill out a questionnaire stating what areas you wish to improve; such as memory, decision making, processing speed, logic and so on- then the games are personalized according to your goals.

I learned about different types of memory classification types just by doing the tests and reading my scores and I became interested enough to look up and study memory classification. I have a good memory on most levels and classification, however the site promises to improve memory and cognitive processing so I intend to return. Luminosity claims that users will see improved performance and concrete results in three months. Luminosity offers a subscription version of the site with personalized training and advanced services available to multiple users or on a family plan for as low as $7.70 a month for a two year subscription.

While I may not use this site to teach history, the site and games will benefit anyone struggling with memory issues or persons who are slow to process information due to illness or injury. From what I have experienced at the site, Luminosity meets many of the criteria for the games at the site to be considered an effective learning experience (Conrad and Donaldson, 2011). Luminosity engages the learners in complex decision making, it is conducted in a safe manner and learners have the opportunity to improve their performance as well as learn a great deal about themselves and how their brain works.

Civilization- http://www.civilization5.com/

It is very difficult to find free websites for adult students of history and I really want to consider a source for history educators. The second game I want to recommend would be Firaxis Games or commonly known as Sid Meir Civilization or Civ as it is called, although not a free game or resource. However, I am going to recommend it as older versions are available for very low cost online and they can be found in used gaming stores for $10.00 to $20.00. Civ is a game that requires a “high level of engagement, decision making and knowledge acquisition from a new perspective” (Conrad and Donaldson, 2011, p. 101). Civ will also appeal to adults as well as younger learners. In Civ, students will simulate, role play and experience a civilization, event or character that related to real historical events.

There are currently many educators using Civ games to teach students of all ages (Firaxis Games, 2012). I am providing a link to a video at Teacher Tube where an educator explains how the game was used in education accompanied by videos and visuals of the game. Students learn about trade, diplomacy, geography, climate, warfare and politics in various civilizations in different eras of history as they work a strategy to build their and maintain their civilization. The games also encourage critical thinking skills, decision making and as I know from my own sons, they inspire an interest in history and peoples from different times and places. The games should be used in conjunction with other academic work and could include group work or single projects and the learning from the games and on the projects will be authentic. Squire (2011) reminds us that games like Civ are “ideological models” that try to capture real experiences and although games may have limitations, biases and value judgments they represents systems where adults can learn. Adults learn engagement and meaning making and many have an underlying pedagogy (Ulicsak and Wright 2010).

References
Conrad, R., & Donaldson, J. A. (2011). Engaging the Online Learner: Activities and Resources for Creative Instruction. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Firaxis Games (2012). Educators and Games in Education. Retrieved on January 31, 2013 from http://www.firaxis.com/educators/

Luminosity (2012). Retrieved on January 31, 2013 from http://www.lumosity.com/

Sid Meir’s Civilization (2012). Retrieved on January 31, 2013 from http://www.civilization5.com/
Squire, K. (2011). Video games and Learning: Teaching and Participatory Culture in the Digital Age. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Teacher Tube (2012). Civilization III and World History. Retrieved on January 31, 2013 from http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=2142

Ulicsak, M. and Wright, M. (2010). Games in Education, Serious games a Future Lab Literature Review. Retrieved on Nov. 24, 2012 from http://media.futurelab.org.uk/resources/documents/lit_reviews/Serious-Games_Review.pdf