I promised a review of Imagine Teacher for the Nintendo DS, in the vain hope that it would help teachers in some way with their own professional development. Well, the short answer is, it won’t!
I looked for insights into classroom strategies, help with identifying student learning styles, curriculum planning and perhaps learning space design. I think I was being a little optimistic.
The game is as taxing on the brain as watching Celebrity Big Brother, and, to be honest, I shouldn’t have devoted the amount of time I did in getting to know it, hoping against hope that I’d uncover a few nuggets of wisdom somewhere.
You’re better off using the pictochat feature on the DS and collaborating with peers across the staffroom.
Best avoided.
I have just ordered a copy of Imagine Teacher for the Nintendo DS. According to Play.com it allows you to:
- Teach your students writing, maths, biology, geography and history
- Develop their artistic skills - music, drawing and pottery
- Help organise school events such as organising parties for your pupils’ birthdays, an end of year party, and many more
- Encourage your students so they find their true vocation
- All your students have their own personalities and favourite subjects
- Position them carefully in the classroom to prevent them from chatting and distracting other pupils
- Buy or collect new items
- Upgrade your school
- Multiplayer for up to 4 players with a single game cart.
If anyone has tried it already, please let us know. Play.com’s review says “[it] allows you to live the rewarding life of a young teacher by embodying a trainee teacher who takes over a class in a brand new and modern school. Increase your students’ knowledge via fun minigames and help them enjoy school! Pay attention to your students’ behaviours to manage their moods and create the best learning atmosphere. Live a great adventure and interact with lots of people, your students, parents and school officials.”
Crumbs!
I’ll let you know how I get on and, more importantly, whether I learn anything from it…
