July 3, 2014
Google has recently released a new game called Smarty Pins which uses Google Maps for its layout. This is basically a game that tests players geography and trivia skills. I have been tinkering with it for sometime today and thought it ideal for classroom use with students.
Players in Smarty Pins are asked a wide variety of geography-based questions to which they have to provide answers by dragging and dropping a pin in Maps. Scores are converted into miles and players are given 1000 miles at the start of the play . With each incorrect answer a number of miles are subtracted from the players' score. The trick is to answer questions as quickly as possible before the number of miles reaches zero.
To start playing Smarty Pins, you first select a category. The categories available are Arts and Culture, Science and Geography, Sports and Games, Entertainment, History and Current Event. Once you select the category, you will then be provided with a question. If you find the question too hard to answer you can get help by using the "take a hint" button. To answer the question you need to drop the pin on the correct location. The final score you reach can be shared with other using social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
