The V4T - Videogames 4 Teachers project

Games

Translation:

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
Vicky Maratou

APPS/VIDEOGAMES

Product type
Leisure videogame with educational potential

Name of the videogame/app
Crisis in Space - Reverse Mode

Name of the producer
GlassLab, Inc.

Year
2017

How to find it
For free

Direct link if available
As of December 20, 2018, GlassLab service has been suspended and this game is no longer accessible

Main technical requirements
Windows

Other MacOSX, Web Browser (Chrome, Safari)

Native Virtual Reality Support
No

Single/Multiplayer
Multiplayer

Type
Adventure, Role Playing, Simulation, Puzzle

Target Audience
12-17 years

Augmented Reality
No

PEGI Clasification
N/A

Use in Educational contexts

Degree of required tutoring
Autonomous use after teacher introduction/explanation

Subjects involved
No related to school subject

Educational Potential
Crisis in Space – Reverse Mode is a collaborative problem solving game which can be used to teach effective communication and collaboration on problem solving. The order of missions is from most difficult to least difficult which explains the “Reverse Mode” in the title.
Two players are put in charge of the International Space Station on a mission to explore Mars. According to the narrative, players need to keep the station going and deal with any problems that arise. At the beginning of the game the players select one role, i.e. Engineer or Operator. The Engineer player needs to study the control manual and provide instructions quickly, while the Operator player is in charge of the controls. The information revealed to each player is not accessible by the other player. During the game, various emergency alarms start and players need to collaborate in order to resolve the problems (puzzles) before the countdown timer expires. The game offers a first set of 5 missions and players switch roles after each mission. If they complete the first set then a second game level is unlocked that offers new challenges.
The game requires smooth collaboration and clear communication between the two players, therefore it can help them improve their linguistic skills.

Learning Object / Suggested activities with students
In order to use this game in class, teachers need to first sign up for free to the https://www.glasslabgames.org/
Students must also sign up for free in the same web site. Then teachers should:
1. Divide students into pairs and write down the usernames of pairs. Share with all pairs the username of their partner.
2. Arrange the pairs so they cannot see their partners’ screens but are close enough to
hear each other.
Students normally will need 30-40 minutes to play through the first set of 5 missions if they take the challenge seriously and avoid guessing.

Skills and competences

Skills and competences acquired
This game is designed to enhance communication and collaboration skills and students might find it quite intense. After the gameplay, teachers are strongly encouraged to set up and facilitate a debriefing session with the students and let them reflect on their common experience and talk about it. The questions should get them to think about themselves and their performance as a pair.

Soft skills
Critical thinking, Problem solving, Time management, Team working

1 Comments

Partners' Institution
Xano Channel

Author of the comments
Ignacio Pachés Giner

I haven't tried this game, but It seems a great Idea to develop some very specific soft skills that are not covered with other games. I'm thinking in the "communication and collaboration" part of the game between the operator and the engineer.
If the game is easy to deploy in a classroom where pairs of players can freely talk while not disturbing the other pairs, It may be a good reward or tool for the classroom and an easy way to set a quick championship of communication skills amongst them.