Mindprint Toolbox

Search Results

Please wait...

The Great Gatsby: HOG

Mindprint Rating

Tags

MS/HS/College iOS App

Skills

Visual Discrimination

Mindprint Expert Review

Pros

  • The app does a wonderful job of providing an engaging story for students who may or may not have read The Great Gatsby.
  • The hidden pictures are challenging yet achievable and hints are available when a student is stuck.

Considerations

  • In some instances the students will need to be precise when clicking on a hidden item which can cause frustration.
  • Students may be unfamiliar with some of the objects which are no longer common.

Mindprint Expert Review

This is a wonderful hidden picture app that effectively integrates the story line of The Great Gatsby with a combination of jazz music, authentic voices and beautiful illustrations. The hidden pictures and word games can be fun for younger children, but the adult themes of F. Scott Fitzgerald's story are woven throughout including drinking and adultery. The app includes ten different hidden picture puzzles with additional scenes and word games. Students can play without sound, but the music and voice-overs provide significant engagement as they evoke the feeling of the period. This app could easily interest a student who might not otherwise care to read the novel. Students who have read the novel will also enjoy the experience, and this app will reinforce the major plot lines and themes. In addition, hidden picture apps are always an effective way to reinforce visual skills. This app also introduces students to some vocabulary from the period that they might not otherwise encounter. Overall, this is a wonderful app for high school students to experience The Great Gatsby in a truly enjoyable way.

Academic Benefits

Improves academic skills

  • Provides sufficient and varied types of practice problems to maximize understanding and generalization of the targeted skill/concept
  • Manufacturer claims alignment with Common Core/Known Standards
  • Presents educational concepts accurately
  • Explains answers so students can learn from mistakes
  • Better for teaching the skill to new or struggling learners
  • Better for practicing or refreshing the skill
  • Skills are practiced through authentic, meaningful problems (not just rote practice)

Fun

Engaging for the Mindprint recommended age range

  • Appropriate for a broad age range to use and enjoy
  • Subject matter and problems are relevant, interesting and authentic to students
  • Visually appealing to children in the target age range
  • Provides virtual rewards or incentives after meeting specified goals or objectives
  • Provides a "break activity" between academic problem sets
  • Offers ongoing, progressive challenge
  • Overall - Enjoyable. Given the option, students would choose this option

Easy to Use

Understandable for children in the Mindprint recommended age range

  • Has a free or trial version
  • Provides teaching guidance for adults to support the child and set appropriate goals
  • Provides an age-appropriate tutorial/first time users can work independently
  • Student should be able to use independently after first use
  • Has a multi-player option to foster in-person collaboration or cooperation
  • Multiple users can save a profile
  • Student graduates to the next level or topic only after meeting a benchmark
  • Can play without sound and not distract others
  • Students can save work between sessions
  • Can effectively understand and monitor student's progress (email report or in product)
  • Provides options to play in languages other than English/Good for ELL
  • Presents information in multiple formats (voice over, pictures and text, etc.)
  • Overall - Easy to use

Cognitive Concerns

May not be advisable for students with the following cognitive needs

  • Fine Motor Skills
    • Requires challenging finger movements, motor precision or physical manipulation

Manufacturer Description

"The Great Gatsby: Classic Adventures" is a unique Hidden Object Adventure game that takes you through the classic literary novel, "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. You'll experience moving hidden object scenes, puzzles, and a typing game that feels as though you are at the author's desk. After finishing the game go through and replay any part of the story or game play. You'll earn trophies and decorate your library as you embark on this adventurous story of love, jealousy, and tragedy!