Since the dawn of “Pong” and “Pac-man”, the old have been telling the young - along with television - video games will rot their brains. While they may have had a point in the past, these days there’s a growing movement toward using the video-game platform to educate kids. In fact, a trio of new products indicates technology and education are merging like never before.
The leader of the EduTech trend has to be LeapFrog. The company has made a name for itself (and hefty profits) by designing, developing and marketing technology-based learning products (the most popular being their Leapster® Learning Systems). One can even stipulate that without the success Leapfrog has enjoyed, EduTech wouldn’t be such a hot product category right now. The most recent addition from the progressive company is the LeapFrog Crammer (pictured), a pocket-sized device that allows kids to quiz themselves and review flash cards on the bus, at recess or on the soccer sidelines. Designed for students in grades three through eight, the 4.6-ounce Crammer gives kids access to more than 16,000 mathematics, social studies and science quiz questions from leading school text books. Parents or children connect the Crammer to a PC to download quizzes or create personalized flash cards. And, in addition to its study capabilities, the LeapFrog Crammer also functions as a Spanish translator and a music player. The Crammer Study & Sound System is currently available at retailers nationwide with a suggested price of $59.99.
While the LeapFrog Crammer offers kids a more educational alternative to traditional handheld games, not to be outdone, game-maker Aspyr is also getting in on the act. But instead of focusing on middle-school kids, Aspyr is taking aim at the high-school crowd with a new game for the Nintendo DS. And, it’s not just any test Aspyr is helping teens study for – it’s the SATS. With reading, writing and math curriculum culled from Kaplan, a leader in test prepping, Aspyr’s “Future U” provides high schoolers with a fun way to study that won’t feel quite as tedious as sitting through test-prep classes every Saturday. Instead of just reiterating SAT-style practice questions, “Future U” takes the concepts, theories and formulas behind the questions and incorporates them in interactive games. Along with helping teens to sharpen their problem-solving skills, the games also helps boost student confidence – an important factor in preventing test anxiety. “Future U: The Prep Game for SAT” is available for purchase at gaming retailers with a price tag around $30.
Another emerging educational tool that uses technology to help students prepare for standardized tests is PrepMe. But instead of using video games, PrepMe employs the power of the Internet. PrepMe is an online service that offers a variety of intensive test-prep courses meticulously developed by experts and top-tier test takers and delivered through custom modules designed by a crack technology team. Best of all, PrepMe employs University of Chicago and Stanford students who scored in the 99th percentile (with a combined average SAT score of 2312 out of 2400) as tutors, and earnings for the tutors are based on improvements in their student’s scores. By combining an innovative technology platform with individuals who know a thing or two about acing tests, PrepMe serves up a convenient alternative to traditional prep classes. And the results speak for themselves - PrepMe CEO Karan Goel boasts an average SAT gain of 305 points for students who use the service. A number of test-prep packages are available on PrepMe.com ranging in price from $299.99 to $799.99.
