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Autodesk Digital STEAM Applied Mechanics

Mindprint Rating

Tags

Science All Ages iOS App

Skills

Abstract Reasoning

Mindprint Expert Review

Pros

  • The developers intended to teach students about challenging physics concepts through a series of interactive, fun mini-games.

Considerations

  • App is very challenging to navigate and the games are difficult to understand.
  • A mean cat with a disturbing laugh cackles and revels in students' mistakes.

Mindprint Expert Review

This app seems like it would have potential but it disappoints in almost every way. The app has a series of mini-games intended to teach students about the key lessons of applied mechanics: energy & work, forces, loading, power and mechanisms. Unfortunately it is not obvious how to access each game, when you arrive at a game there are no instructions, the games are slow to download, the games are not intuitive and they are not well-designed. As a student tries to ascertain what to do and loses, the student usually blows up and a mean cat with a cackling laugh makes fun of the failure. Turning off the sound makes it even more difficulty to play. Then, in keeping with the disappointing theme of encouraging bad behavior, the app has an opportunity for revenge where the player can aim balls at the cat and blow him up. Overall and app worth staying away from in its current iteration.

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

  • Abstract Reasoning
    • Directions may be confusing for students using independently
    • Turn or quiz abruptly ends when timer runs out
    • Requires remembering and completing a sequence of visual steps
    • Students might need support with navigation
  • Anxiety
    • Themes that might disturb sensitive students (death, blood, slime)
    • Gives negative feedback (red X's, buzzer)
    • A player's success depends on speed
    • Turn or quiz abruptly ends when timer runs out
  • Attention
    • Has auditory distractions that cannot be silenced (background music, players shout answers, etc.)
    • Directions may be confusing for students using independently
    • Visually distracting with too many pictures, problems or moving objects
  • Auditory Processing
    • Has auditory distractions that cannot be silenced (background music, players shout answers, etc.)
    • A player's success depends on speed
    • Turn or quiz abruptly ends when timer runs out
  • Fine Motor Skills
    • Requires challenging finger movements, motor precision or physical manipulation
  • Numerical Fluency
    • A player's success depends on speed
    • Turn or quiz abruptly ends when timer runs out
  • Processing Speed
    • A player's success depends on speed
    • Turn or quiz abruptly ends when timer runs out
  • Reading Fluency
    • A player's success depends on speed
    • Turn or quiz abruptly ends when timer runs out
  • Self-regulation
    • Themes that might disturb sensitive students (death, blood, slime)
    • Gives negative feedback (red X's, buzzer)
    • A player's success depends on speed
    • Turn or quiz abruptly ends when timer runs out
  • Spatial Perception
    • Requires remembering and completing a sequence of visual steps
  • Verbal Reasoning
    • Directions may be confusing for students using independently
    • Turn or quiz abruptly ends when timer runs out
  • Visual Discrimination
    • Words used during activity can be too small or difficult to read
    • Visually distracting with too many pictures, problems or moving objects
    • Students might need support with navigation
  • Visual Memory
    • Requires remembering and completing a sequence of visual steps
    • Students might need support with navigation
  • Visual Motor Speed
    • Requires challenging finger movements, motor precision or physical manipulation
    • A player's success depends on speed
    • Turn or quiz abruptly ends when timer runs out
  • Working Memory
    • Directions may be confusing for students using independently
    • Turn or quiz abruptly ends when timer runs out
    • Requires remembering and completing a sequence of visual steps
    • Students might need support with navigation

Manufacturer Description

The Applied Mechanics App teaches the principles of applied mechanics by exploring five interrelated topics: Energy & Work, Force, Power, Loading, and Mechanisms. These concepts are essential in the development of innovative products and product systems and learning about how things work.

Key Benefits:
✓ Provides a fun way to make the connection between physical theory and the practical application of mechanics and technology
✓ Engages users to learn about applied mechanics through a combination of imaginative resources, including interactive games and animations
✓ Includes definitions of the applied mechanics used in the games, as well as practical application of the content
✓ Challenges players to use knowledge derived from the games to resolve a series of applied mechanics problems
✓ Teaches the principles that can help guide users to develop the next-generation technological devices and appliances

Explore the Applied Mechanic App and then apply your knowledge of these concepts using Autodesk®ForceEffect™ and Autodesk® ForceEffect™ Motion, free engineering simulation apps. Download these free apps today. On iTunes go to: App Store>Productivity>Autodesk, Inc.