Analysis of puzzle, quiz and sports games.

My learning styles

Kolb -

• I scored the highest on Active Experimentation and Abstract conceptualization which makes me an AE/AC which by Kolb's definition is the converging learner or doing and thinking.  He says this type of learner likes to experiment with new ideas and work with practical applications.  They are less concerned with people and interpersonal aspects and prefer technical tasks.  I would have to say to an extent that is me but I am concerned with people and try to be a people pleaser. 

VAK -

• I was hands down a visual learner.  I scored a 17 on visual, 7 on listening and 4 on kinesthetic. 

Prenskey-

• I scored either a 5 or a 1 on most things so it ended up balancing to a score of 30.  Prenskey's article talked about generation X beginning in 1970 and since that was the year I was born I can identify with many of the things he talked about such as growing up on video games and the MTV era.  I like gadgets and things that are exciting but the older I grow the more careful I am of things.  I read directions instead of throwing things together.  Frankly, it costs too much money to do something twice or repair something because you broke it.  I used to love roller coasters but I don't anymore.  I wonder if it is just the fact that I view mortality in a different, very real way.  Also, money has a different purpose to me now than when I was younger. 

Analysis of Games

I chose the slang game from the site http://www.vocabulary.co.il/idioms/idioms-game-slang-game/ and the universal cryptogram game from http://www.merriam-webster.com/game/uclick/cryptogram.htm. 

• The Slang game is a timed game where you must match the slang word to the phrase that describes it.  You have ten questions answer.  The faster you can answer each question the more points you will get as the point values decrease the longer you take.  If you get it incorrect the game will tell you the correct answer and move to the next question. 

• The universal cryptogram game challenges the player to solve the cryptogram in under 7 minutes.  The game gives you 3 hints that can be used at any time.  The hints each put a letter on the board in the correct spots.  When you have 3 minutes or less on the clock unused letters in the cryptogram start disppearing from the available letters to solve the problem.  You can click solve if you are truly stuck and the computer will solve the cryptogram for you. 

Game components comparison

• The slang game strongest game components are that it is challenging, bound by rules, and has a clear purpose, The game play was done safely and it took skill to earn the highest points.    Some of the weaker game componenets were that is wasn't really amusing or fun. 

• The universal cryptogram game was strongest at challenging me.  It was bound by rules and had a clear purpose.  It was a game of chance at first and then turned into a game of skill when enough letters were up.  Game play was done safely.  It was only somewhat amusing or fun.  More often it was frustrating.  It has the element of real life since they are common phrases in English. 

I liked the slang game the best as it was fast paced and had audio soundbites that made game play more exciting.  I was challenged to get the most points each round by answering the question quickly.  It reminded me of the trivia game you can play at Buffalo Wild Wings.  I love that game!   With my learning style I like to have an active, fast paced game.  The cryptogram game was frustrating and I got bored with it quickly.  I didn't even feel satisfied when I solved the puzzle in one minute 56 seconds.