Software Analysis

We created seven categories for analyzing learning software:

1) availability and costs

2) age group, language level

3) type of exercises

4) design

5) authenticity and competences

6) relevance for school and didactic aspects

7) interactivity

Game 1: Bookworm

1) availability and costs: free online game

2) age group, language level: English, all levels of learners

3) type of exercises: spelling games

4) design: colourful, young and professional

5) authenticity and competences: no authentic language use, activation of the already existing vocabulary

6) relevance for school and didactic aspects: It is rather a free time activity which might help students (fun activity).

The game might be helpful as an additional exercise or an award

7) interactivity: No interactivity given.

The game is very colourful and it´s fun. However, there is much advertisement and many pop-up windows on this site. There are also games which do not contain any learning activities. In sum, the games supports a general language awareness but is nor rich in content.

Game 2: Leo Network- English Word Games

1) availability and costs:  free online game

2) age group, language level: English, all levels of learners

3) type of exercises: word games (crosswords, Ding Things, VocabGames, hangman, Homophones, Memory…)

4) design: old, boring, not appealing but structured

5) authenticity and competences: only single words are tested, no authentic language use

6) relevance for school and didactic aspects: possible as additional activity (game) but not advisable

7) interactivity: no interactivity given

Although the site contains a collection of word games, it is not appealing or motivating for students. We would not recommend it.

Game 3: JClic

1) availability and costs: free internet game

2) age group, language level: not specified

3) type of exercises: fill in, puzzle, drag and drop. topic specific on irregular verbs

4) design: old, boring, not appealing but structured

5) authenticity and competences: only single words are tested, only one grammatical phenomenon

6) relevance for school and didactic aspects: if you want to practice irregular verbs further, it might be helpful, but it is not very motivating (you an easily access the solutions)

7) interactivity: no interactivity given

Although the site deals with irregular verb exercises, it is not appealing or motivating for students. We would not recommend it.

Game 4: Game Zone

1) availability and costs: free online game

2) age group, language level: each game suggests a proper level of proficiency,

site contains levels from beginner to upper intermediate

3) type of exercises: variety of grammar and vocabulary games

4) design: colourful, well-structured, appealing

5) authenticity and competences: you can cover different vocabulary and grammar topics

6) relevance for school and didactic aspects: as additional task very advisable

7) interactivity: low-level of interactivity

This collection of games is the best of the ones we analysed. It contains a variety of activities and language level suggestions. The games can easily be integrated into an English lesson and should mainly function as a repetition or additional task.