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This section of the V4T Project portal provides administrative information for the project contractual partners and for the European Commission and it is password protected.

Games

Translation:
de
gr


This Section provides access to an Online database of:
• The best educational Videogames and mobile apps available on the market
• The most suitable Videogames and Apps that, even if not specifically designed for educational purpose, can be used as teaching or learning tools with students

Videogames and apps are categorized, analyzed and assessed in order to provide the teachers with all the necessary information and hints to make full use of the Videogames and Apps in teaching contexts.

Partners' Institution
Hellenic Open University
Author
Rizos Chaliampalias

APPS/VIDEOGAMES

Product type
Educational App
Name of the videogame/app
Ο Ξεφτέρης ταξιδεύει στην Αρχαία Αθήνα (Smarty travels to Ancient Athens)
Name of the producer
SIEM SA Εκδόσεις-Υπηρεσίες και Προϊόντα Πληροφορικής Α.Ε.
Year
2012
How to find it
To be Purchased
Direct link if available
http://www.siem.gr/en/shop.html
Main technical requirements
Windows, Ios
Other Web Browser, MacOSX
Native Virtual Reality Support
No
Single/Multiplayer
Single
Type
Educational
Target Audience
6-11 years
Augmented Reality
No
PEGI Clasification
N/A

Use in Educational contexts

Degree of required tutoring
Autonomous use by students
Subjects involved
History
Other
Citizenship, Culture
Special needs
Learning difficulties
Educational Potential
Students develop an interest in the everyday life of people in Ancient Greece, specifically in Athens of the 5th century BC., the era of Pericles. They acquire knowledge of political systems and how they are organized, acquire knowledge of citizenship rights and the responsibilities, realize the need for social organization and learn to appreciate their cultural heritage.
The game has comprehensive, clear, interesting and linear story line, provides clear information on how the participants are doing, makes the player feel a need to know more about the content so that they will feel motivated to learn and provides interactive feedback that is crucial to learning. The user interface offers the player an easy way to control the game. Dialogues do not contain information which is irrelevant.
Easy to use for teachers who are not tech savvy.
This app enriches students' vocabulary with new words that were used in Ancient Athens in Greece. It is offered both in Greek and English and could be used also with English language learners.
Learning Object / Suggested activities with students
Teachers can use it during history lessons or lessons about democracy/citizenship in order to introduce students to citizenship. Students can be asked to describe similarities and differences between citizenship in Ancient Athens and today.
The app can be used as an additional educational tool or bonus activity by the completion of a relevant topic. Depending on the available devices students could play individually, in pairs of two, or it could be used as a class activity on a smart board.

Skills and competences

Skills and competences acquired
Students develop those skills necessary for functioning as informed and contributing members of society, develop the skills required for participation in the political process of their country.
As assessment method, teacher could provide relevant quizzes to the students on paper after completing one part of the game. The game itself includes many self assessment quizzes and activities.
Soft skills
Critical thinking
Other
Responsibility

3 Comments


Partners' Institution
Hellenic Open University
Author of the comments
Georgia-Zeta Tsigka
It is aimed at younger ages, such as 12-13 years old. It has educational prospect because it can contributes to the acquisition and repetition of knowledge included in junior highschool class lectures, though in a simple and comprehensive way.
Indicatively, it provides knowledge about the layout of the site in Ancient Athens (map) and the functioning of the political system in the classical era.
Rather negative issue is the (dismissive) statement on the political system of Sparta compared to the one of Athens, in the "Dialogues" section. When teaching History it is crucial to avoid this kind of evaluative judgment. The difference in the political systems - which have worked in a very different historical context compared to the current one - can be understood through the descriptions of how they were implemented. The use of expressions such as "state differences", "competition", "different worldviews of the two states" etc, would have been more appropriate.
Partners' Institution
Hellenic Open University
Author of the comments
Apostolia Evr. Charmani
Smarty travels to Athens is a game with educational characteristics, this game could be combined in the in the course of history, Language and speech, and sociology. Because the child learns not only historical events and persons but cultivates the vocabulary and learn new terms and the importance of these as understands and operation concepts for the historical period covered by the game. Also, the child will improve his fine mobility and linguist development.
Partners' Institution
Hellenic Open University
Author of the comments
Hara Kokkinou
It offers an enjoyable journey to Athens of the 5th century BC. providing information in an easy to consume manner. It can be engaging and motivating particularly for students who are auditory and/or visual learners.
As the reviewer suggests, it can also serve as an introduction to citizenship as well as to political systems, justice/law, theatre etc.



This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

The V4T - Videogames 4 Teachers project © 2018