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Teachers can use this great simulation game to teach lessons on entrepreneurship and money management, although the overall lesson might be how to multitask. The design may look childish and geared toward younger kids, but the challenges and skills are geared toward older kids (or even adults).
You can't set up multiple accounts or players, so two kids can't share a device and play their own games at different times. With COPPA compliance and no in-app purchases or ads, it's appropriate for classroom use.
Continue readingIn this simulation game, kids develop their entrepreneurial spirit as they run a dinosaur theme park. They have to multitask to address the ups and downs of their business -- on stormy, slow days as well as sunny, busy ones -- while keeping the animals and their customers happy.
They take care of their dinosaurs by feeding and cleaning up after them and maintaining their cages. They make decisions about attractions, like a photo booth or a cafe, to buy for their park, what to feed the dinosaurs, and how to invest their money. If the animals aren't well-fed, they run away. If the paying visitors' needs aren't met, they leave. If the park doesn't offer the attractions people want, they don't visit.
In this fun, project-based learning experience, students practice decision-making, learn some economics, and see the consequences of their actions. They also learn some subtle lessons about making wise choices. When they feed their dinosaurs junk food, for example, they get silly immediately, but then they're tired and hungry again very soon. Sometimes, the junk food is less expensive than the wholesome food, too, forcing kids to make a forward-thinking decision. Kids also see that some additions bring in more money, while others offer no added value. When they hire the tour guide, kids can learn some dinosaur facts, if they can rest long enough to read the dialogue.
Instructions are minimal. Some concepts are explained when they're introduced, but if students are distracted (and with all that's going on, they could be), they could miss the explanation, and there's no way to access it again.