Embedded Files
This digital resource is intended for the learning of Te Reo vocabulary and phrases. This app is created as a game that allows the user to paddle their waka in attempt to escape the Taniwha. To paddle the waka, the user must choose the correct word or phrase. There is an online leader board so that users can challenge friends and family to beat their high score.
This resource would be suitable to use as an activity after a period of Te Reo learning has taken place. As it is in game form and easily accessed from mobile devices such as iPads, tablets and smart phones, most students would have the ability to access this resource at home to further extend their learning and Te Reo vocabulary.
Year Level
Year Level
Years 3-8
Digital Technology
Digital Technology
Android/Apple App.
Access
Access
Search ‘Aki’ in Google Play or iTunes to download app.
Features
Features
- Free app.
- Start screen allows users to choose to go straight to the game, dictionary, leader board, options, or credits.
- Start screen repeatedly translates headings from English to Māori every few seconds.
- Dictionary shows what percentage you have chosen specific words correctly.
- Clear instructions that pop up on first time playing and can be referred to again by clicking ‘help’.
- Four levels with six sub levels to complete.
- Each level has a new set of vocabulary.
- Engaging graphics and background music. Sets the scene for the story/problem of the Taniwha trying to catch the player’s waka.
- Players can challenge each other with online leader boards.
- Drag and drop to answer question.
- Chance to try again after getting a question wrong, however penalty is one loss of life for getting a question wrong.
- Voice overs (in English and Te Reo) that speak the question and speak the answer options when tapped on.
Review and Critique
Review and Critique
This digital resource is a game in which the user becomes increasingly familiar with the Te Reo language as they progress through levels during the game, in a quest to escape the Taniwha. Aki incorporates the younger generation’s immense enthusiasm for digital games by creating a quest-like story, requiring multiple hours to complete (Beavis et al., 2017; Gee, 2007; Kāti Huirapa Runaka ki Puketeraki, 2013).
This app is interactive, unlike worksheets or other traditional means of extending or retaining learning (Beavis et al., 2017; Churchill, 2017; Gee, 2007; Kucirkova & Falloon, 2017; Mayes & Freitas, 2013). The active nature of this app allows students to engage in authentic learning to help aid their retention of the Te Reo language (Beavis et al., 2017; Gee, 2017).
Aki features time limits and leader boards, in which users can challenge both themselves and others to better their score. This further engages students in the learning of Te Reo as it provides them with a meaningful challenge in which they are both collaborating with others and building a deeper understanding of the written and spoken language (Beavis et al., 2017; Kucirkova & Falloon, 2017).
Because this resource is a free app, it is able to be used outside of the classroom by parents downloading it on devices at home (Beavis et al., 2017; Bransford et al., 2000; Kucirkova & Falloon, 2017; Mills, 2014). This fosters student independence as it gives students the opportunity to continue their learning of Te Reo beyond the classroom, and at their own pace.
There are some critiques of this app. Aki has a very long time frame between questions, but a very short response time after the question appears. Although challenging games are supposedly fast paced (Beavis et al., 2017), since this game is for students who are learning Te Reo, it is ineffective to have such a short response time, as users do not get a reasonable chance to read through the possible answers.
There is also limited vocabulary within this app, and vocabulary that is loaded into the app are Te Reo words that are unlikely to be used frequently, especially in the classroom setting. Words such as salt shaker and cinnamon for example.
The sub-levels within each level are focused on the same eight vocabulary words, and users are required to finish the sub-levels before moving onto the next level and new set of words. This means that users do not have the ability to pick and choose the Te Reo words that they would like to focus on, and ultimately work with the same words repeatedly. This may help some students, but disengage other students as it becomes predictable.
Recommendations for Users and Developers
Recommendations for Users and Developers
I would recommend that this resource be used throughout the learning of Te Reo. Because the vocabulary words are random for each level, it is likely that the words in the app will not correlate perfectly with the learning in the classroom. However, it can be used as an extension activity for those students who have mastered the learning already, or to encourage students to become immersed in the Te Reo language, taking the learning home to share.
I have recommended that this app be used with students in years 3-8, simply because of how quick the response time is. This short time frame doesn’t allow much time for reading the options available, so the user would have to be quite sound in their reading ability.
A recommendation for the developers would be to lengthen the response time for questions to allow those learning the language an opportunity to read, internalise and then answer the question. It would also be a good idea to add one or two new vocabulary words every one or two sub-levels, alongside the vocabulary that is already there in order to maintain user interest. I would also recommend implementing vocabulary words that are relevant to children, the classroom, and everyday items such as water, clothes, girl/boy, weather etc.
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