How Can Teachers Use It?
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.
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What's It Like?
In 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.
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Is It Good For Learning?
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.
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Kids manage multiple aspects of play at once as they feed and clean up after the dinosaurs, help customers find what they need, and make purchasing decisions for the park.
Collecting dinosaur stickers unlocks different options in the store, and kids can buy things for their park – some that will help them make money and some that won't.
Kids start with enough money to buy one dinosaur. As they earn money from customers, they can buy more.
Kids can choose to invest some of their money in the bank and earn interest.
Kids choose what to feed their dinosaurs – wholesome fruits and vegetables or sugary treats. Sugary treats cause the dinosaurs to do crazy tricks but leave them hungry again very quickly.
