User Reviews (1 - 11 of 14)

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Scratching the Surface for EduGaming

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: May 06, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Of the stack of software I bought for my new Wii, this is, by far, the most worthwhile. *My Word Coach* has meaty content in a clever delivery. It's maybe not best suited for the Wii interface--sometimes I feel I'm being tested more on my controller skills than on my linguistic aptitude--but that's a small concern.

This program should serve as a model for future developments in EduGaming. The format seems well suited for related content. The structuring of the delivery is impressive; when I've completed my daily quota, I'm often disappointed, but so pleased that the producers included this function. Indeed, it IS necessary to stop and let the information "sink in" before progressing to new material.

I intend to integrate this program into my university teaching because it is a fine mix of appealing game interface and excellent scholarship. And for the creators? I have a list of additional titles I'd like to see you create!

my opinion of my word coach game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: May 03, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This is a fun game to play with 6 different training games and 2 games to play for fun. Also has a few multiplayer games. In the spelling be game it is sometimes hard to understand the word that is said so it is hard to spell it right. Overall worth the price.

smarter as you go

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: March 25, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Only problem with this gamesome time you can spell the word and the game will mark it as wrong other wize it is a desent game.

If you want a "family game" - this is it!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: February 08, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game for myself - the only game I have ever purchased for myself. Although we have many different types of game consoles and games, none had ever interested me prior to obtaining this game. Other family members enjoyed the games we have, but not I. I was actually doubtful that I would even enjoy this one, but it looked interesting. The first time I sat down to play it - something really great happened...the entire family wanted to play! Finally! A game the family can play together...wants to play together...and enjoys playing together. GREAT GAME!

GOOD WAY to review the words you alread know. BAD WAY to learn new terms.

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: February 01, 2008
Author: Amazon User

For people whose English is their second language, this game presents a GOOD WAY to review the words they already know. However, it's a BAD WAY to learn new terms. It's because of the reasons listed below

1. The words are explained but there are no examples that show how to use them. As a result, you can create non-natural English sentences even though you know their meanings.

For example, "influx" is explained as "the arrival of large group of people or things". That's it. There's no example. This is just like learning new words by memorizing an English dictionary which is next to useless. It's because you won't be able to create correct English sentences. Further more, it's very difficult to remember them without good examples.

In this area, this game is far more inferior to Collins Cobuild-advanced Learners English Dictionary, paper back, ISBN 978-0007210121. It has multiple examples for every term. One of the examples for influx is "The increase of 4.5 million in America's foreign-born represented the largest immigrant influx of any decade in US history"

2. There's no pronunciation! English is a living language. You might know the words but other people won't understand what you're speaking if you pronounce them wrong! Again, In this area, this game is not as good Collins Cobuild-advanced Learners English Dictionary. It contains a CD with pronunciation of all the words it explains.

3. The interface is good in many areas but it's difficult to use in "Missing letter" game. Here, you have to spray painting to fill in the missing letter. Wii controller is the wrong tool for this. Many times, I just finished spraying part of a letter A when the game recognized it as "I". It's very frustrating because I had to erase it and start it all over again. That made me exceed the time limit.

Overall, it's a fair tool to be used as a supplement to other tools for improving your vocabulary skill. I own it.

An Innovative, but Flawed Game

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: January 28, 2008
Author: Amazon User

My husband and I are in our early twenties and are both previous english majors who are enamored with words. We did not have fun with this game.

1. In terms of ease of gameplay, the controls are awful. They appear to have wanted to take advantage of the novelty of the wii-mote with no thought as to how the difficulty of maneuvering would impact gameplay.
2. The overall tone of the walk-through and the grading was a bit patronizing.
3. Performing the same tasks over and over again in order to open new ones was not interesting.
4. While they managed to pick challenging vocabulary, much of the words do not seem like particularly useful terms to know.
5. The competition with other players is lacking.

I think there are better games, particularly on the DS and the Wii, to challenge people mentally. I personally favor Big Brain Academy over this game. While those games do not pay much attention to vocabulary or spelling, this game proves to me that there is still a ways to go before we master bringing those subjects into a video game format.

Perfect game for nerds who play solo (and everyone else too)

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: January 18, 2008
Author: Amazon User

"My Word Coach" is quite intriguing, especially being an intellectually stimulating video game. There is a slight learning curve on how to use the remote control. With some practice (and patience), I'm able to spray paint my letters faster and more accurately. Picking up the letters out of my cereal bowl before the timer ends was the most challenging game so far. I wish there were a few more practice runs for using the remote properly before they start grading you. My first try got me rated as a "high school graduate" (insulting), but I tried again and rightfully got labeled as a "college graduate" (that's more like it!). It does give the option to use a Nintendo DS controller in this game, which would make it easier to write. As I play more, there are new words, but sometimes I wish that I could back and retest, especially when I make a typo.

This game is perfect for the nerd who plays solo, but there is an opportunity to compete with your friends. However, I wish it would be a multi-player game, where I can switch back and forth with a friend during a game (AKA take turns). The game makes your brain churn, not make you scream or sweat like other games, such as tennis. Let's just say, it's fun in a different way. "My Word Coach" is good for all ages, because it takes your age in consideration for selecting the vocabulary words. Yes, lying about your age in this case would be counterproductive.

I'm a visual person, so I like how it always reviews the words with the definitions after each round. The different "games" are essentially different techniques in getting you to learn new words. The one thing that is lacking is the oral part. Spelling is only half good if the word is mispronounced. I wish that the game would say the word aloud for proper pronunciation at some point, maybe even during the review after each session.

I definitely recommend this game to all ages for my friends, family, and strangers. It doesn't win the 5th star since there is some room for improvement as suggested above.

Word geek heaven

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: January 17, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I LOVE this game! I'm an avid reader and love to play games (esp word games) so this is right up my alley. I like that I can play alone (I haven't talked my husband into playing any of the 2 player challenge options w/me yet, so I can't comment on them) and that I have a daily goal. I also like that if you miss a word it quickly works it into one of your next few trainings.

I think this would be a great study tool for SAT's or anyone looking to improve their vocab. I debated awhile before purchasing (wondering just how fun a game based on words could be) and the reviews sold me on it (well, them and the low price point in comparison to other Wii games). I'm very glad I made this purchase. In fact, I think I'll go play now!

It's a good way to improve your english skills.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: January 15, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I've bought this Wii Game to help my daugthers in their process of learning english. And I have to said, that it was by far, the best learning method I've ever found. It could be useful for anybody who wants to either improve or learn more deeply this language. It's a good choice to do that.

Great fun by yourself and/or with others

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: January 12, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This is a great learning game. I am constantly looking to broaden my vocabulary, and challenge and test myself, which is why I was drawn to it. You can't play it by yourself too often or it may become a little tedious. But play with 3 other people who think they're smarter than the other and you've got a fantastic party game. I recommend this game for puzzle/crossword/anagram/IQ type of game loving people like me, and even people who just like a challenge or to challenge others while having a good time.

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