Debrief


 * --From a teacher perspective, what did you find most interesting about CI?**
 * The number of levels and scaffolding throughout the game.
 * Note-taking throughout the game can teach students about the importance of note-taking.
 * Technology terminology (i.e., IslandPedia)
 * IslandPedia is a useful tool for students, above and beyond exploring online for information.
 * Options to use/explore applications.
 * The in-game ability to discover information independently encourages risk-taking and exploration.
 * Game features allow students to discover that they need tools (i.e., such that they need discover that they should utilize the map for reference while playing the game).
 * Features of the game motivate students to have discussion with one another about useful game features/strategies.
 * The ability for children to choose what they do/don't do in the game.
 * Language throughout the game is very kid-friendly.


 * --What suggestions do you have for improving CI?**
 * Make map available throughout game.
 * Make compass available for purchase so that students may use it.
 * Incorporate narration for struggling readers.
 * Ability to copy and paste instructions into the notepad.
 * Increase ability to move up/down hills and move more quickly throughout the game.
 * Increase motivation for sand dollars by incorporating enticing things for purchase (i.e., jet pack).


 * --What are your reactions to the Create a Map Activity?**
 * The map activity directly ties the information that children will learn about in their landform kit.
 * Allows for children of all levels to increase performance.
 * Activity is slightly cumbersome in terms of the amount of directions and may be overwhelming for students.
 * Chunking some of the steps may help students to pace themselves and become less overwhelmed by the map activity.
 * Expand length of activity over the course of several days.
 * Some students do not like to draw. Perhaps incorporate a digital map activity for those who do not like to draw.
 * Perhaps make the larger grid a group project and make the smaller map key a more individualized, independent process. May take into account students who do not like to draw and will allow students increased flexibility to make their keys more/less detailed according to their own preferences and ability levels.
 * Collaboration with art teacher at schools to aid students who are not particularly artistic, if an individual map activity is ultimately used as the culminating project.
 * Schools may wish to choose to do either individual/group projects.
 * Difficult to draw landforms and map objects in 3-D manner.
 * Overall, map activity would be an engaging and useful activity for the kids.