Ozaria

Coding puzzler covers a lot of computer science ground

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Expert evaluation by Common Sense

Grades

3–12
Price: Free to try
Platforms: Web

Pros: No coding experience required. Great curriculum structure and support.

Cons: No choices in the game's narrative. Puzzles are a lot like other coding games.

Bottom Line: This is a program that merges games and computer science, and gives you all the tools you need to teach -- even without coding experience.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

Ozaria was developed upon CodeCombat, but geared towards the classroom. It takes a game-based approach to teaching text-based coding in Python or Javascript. The game's framed by a fantasy adventure narrative, told through illustrated cutscenes, which then lead to a puzzle game students must complete to advance the storyline. Ozaria is standards-aligned, meeting CSTA and ISTE standards. It's built with middle schoolers in mind, but extend below and above those grade levels. The curriculum is well-structured and includes a mix of whole class instruction, independent practice, group work, and creative opportunities -- if the curriculum guide and lesson slides are followed. Only one chapter is free, then schools need to contact for pricing. There's a scope and sequence, lesson slides, and professional development courses available. Teachers have access to a dashboard, where they can monitor student progress, manage student projects, and use assessment tools. There are handy accessibility options, including voiceover narration and a screen reader mode, as well as optional support for coding.

To get started, teachers should consult the excellent lesson slides; chapter one is available for free. The slides include pacing suggestions, including when to start and stop gameplay, how to incorporate the cutscenes in instruction, and check-in and extension opportunities. Throughout, there's also a lot of great info about computer science concepts that'll help students understand things like algorithms, loops, and debugging. There's also a healthy focus on SEL, encouraging students to develop resiliency and integrity when working on a project. These slides will give you the best notion of just what's covered in the game, then you can try the first chapter and see if it'll meet your students' needs.

Disclaimer: While this tool has received a Common Sense Selection for Learning, its privacy policy contains unclear information which should be considered when using the tool. 

Learning Rating

Overall Rating
Engagement

The adventure game's puzzles add meaning and payoff to coding activities; although, the story/cutscenes might not. Feedback and auto-complete help soften frustration.

 

Pedagogy

Students practice coding through play. The scope and sequence has a nice progression that integrates independent practice, group work, and instruction. Content emphasizes SEL skills.

 

Support

Live chat as well as an email form. Online tutoring available for students and PD for teachers. There's voiceover narration, closed-captioning, a screen reader mode, and more.

Common Sense reviewer
Elvina Tong
Elvina Tong Computer Science and Innovation Teacher

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Privacy Rating

Data Safety How safe is this product?

  • Unclear whether this product supports interactions between trusted users.
  • Unclear whether users can interact with untrusted users, including strangers and/or adults.
  • Unclear whether personal information can be displayed publicly.

Data Rights What rights do I have to the data?

  • Users can create or upload content.
  • Processes to access or review user data are available.
  • Processes to modify data are available for authorized users.

Ads & Tracking Are there advertisements or tracking?

  • Unclear whether personal information are shared for third-party marketing.
  • Unclear whether this product displays traditional or contextual advertisements.
  • Unclear whether this product displays personalised advertising.

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