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Zoombinis Island Odyssey
Mindscape (The Learning Company) (
16 May, 2003 )
Software |
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Price |
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£
9.99 |
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Price
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£
19.99
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How to think, not rote learning - and they think its a game  |
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The striking thing about Zoombinis is you never see a number on screen, just mechanisms and patterns and things to solve. From my point of view, the approach means it is stimulating and training *how they think*, rather than their rote ability to do calculations. From the kids point of view, it means this feels like just a game, not an educational CD at all. Lots of CDs aim or claim to make education *FUN!!* but most fail, usually in an irritating, patronising way. Zoombinis deliver: my 6 and 8 year old boys play these almost obsessively (the younger one watching and suggesting, which isnt always peaceful!) as if it was some video game designed *solely* for fun. Whoever put these together really knows how to get players hooked. If you need to improve their times tables or number bonds directly, go somewhere else, but if you want them to enjoy learning, be intrigued, and be already comfortable with many concepts when they encounter them in the classroom, start here. My elder son asked me the other day what a cube would look like in four dimensions (I had no idea, but Im told it would be drawn like the Aquacube in this CD), so I think they work! Oh, and one excellent detail: they custom-design their Zoombinis at the start, just like you can design characters in Playstation etc games. This might seem cosmetic and superficial to an adult, but I think it is very important to the kids. My boys ones always have shades and mohicans, but there are enough pink trainers and ponytails available to make the girliest of little girls feel at home too.
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Terrific educational/fun software for kids (and dads!) |
This is brilliant software. It keeps the kids amused and at the same time makes them think. To progress through the game your child needs to solve problems, simple at first and then building to "dad, can you give me a hand please". The ensuing interaction is great fun in itself, hilarious.If only more games could be this educational!
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great for all ages! |
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This is really shaming... Im seventeen and I love this game!! Im not alone, I was introduced to this version by some friends who are also too old. I loved the first version of Zoombinis, but it wont run on modern computers (there you go.. Im showing my age!) Zoombinis can be challenging even for older people, and you dont realise its educational (or maybe thats cos it isnt really for me!) I suppose I first played the original in school, but I never realised it was for younger children. Also, my mum used to love playing on my old version (although she hasnt tried this one) So, this is a great buy, educational for the kids, and hours of fun for you (!)
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