Card Matching Game

1. Main Themes and Purpose

The central theme across both resources is the use of a simple memory-matching game as an engaging and interactive tool. The specific GHS symbol game explicitly targets educational objectives within the lower secondary science curriculum in Singapore, aiming to make learning about lab safety and the GHS more enjoyable.

The stated purpose of the GHS symbol matching game is clearly defined in the "About" section:

"As part of the LSS Syllabus, Secondary 1 students are expected to learn the following about the Globally Harmonised System (GHS). This application aims to make learning about lab safety more enjoyable and interesting for students."

This highlights the game's direct connection to curriculum requirements and its pedagogical goal of enhancing student engagement with potentially dry but crucial safety information.

2. Key Features and Mechanics

Both resources describe a basic memory-matching game with the following core mechanics:

• Card Layout: The GHS symbol game features "18 cards (9 symbol cards, 9 explanation cards)" arranged face down on a play-space. The "Matching Game of 9 by 9 cards" implies a larger grid of cards (81 total), though the excerpt focuses on the underlying concept.
• Gameplay Loop: Students interact by clicking on two cards at a time.
• Matching Rule: If the two selected cards form a correct pair (a GHS symbol and its corresponding explanation in the specific game), the student earns a point.
• Feedback Mechanism:Match: Successful matches are likely indicated by the cards remaining face-up or being removed from the play area.
• No Match: If the cards do not match, "the student has to try again to pick a correct pair" and in the GHS version, "the cards flip back down to the same position." This reinforces memory and trial-and-error learning.
• Winning Condition: The game continues "until all 9 pairs are successfully matched" in the GHS version. The winning condition for the generic 9x9 game is not detailed in the provided excerpt.

3. Educational Value and Target Audience

The "Matching Game using GHS Symbols" is explicitly designed for Lower Secondary (Secondary 1) students in Singapore, aligning with their science syllabus requirements related to the Globally Harmonised System.

The educational value lies in:

• Active Learning: The interactive nature of the game requires students to actively engage with the GHS symbols and their meanings, rather than passively reading information.
• Reinforcement and Memorization: The memory-matching mechanic helps reinforce the association between the symbols and their explanations through repeated attempts and recall.
• Gamification: By presenting learning in a game format, the application aims to increase student motivation and make the learning process more enjoyable ("more enjoyable and interesting for students").

The inclusion of "Sample Learning Goals" further emphasizes the game's educational intent, reiterating its alignment with the LSS Syllabus and the core game mechanics.

4. Additional Features and Modes (GHS Symbol Game)

The "For Teachers" section of the GHS symbol game description outlines additional features and modes that enhance its pedagogical utility:

• Training Mode: This mode is designed "for beginning to learn" and includes a timer after clicking start. Upon completion, the training is finished, and a "reset" option is available. This suggests a more guided introduction to the symbols and their meanings.
• Memory Game Mode (Advanced Challenge): In this mode, "all cards are now turn black" after clicking start, and a timer begins. The game is completed when all cards are matched, with the timer recording the time taken. This mode focuses on enhancing memory skills and provides a competitive element ("record down your time and challenge your friends").

These different modes cater to varying learning stages and preferences, allowing educators to use the application in different ways to support student learning.

5. Technical Aspects and Accessibility

The GHS symbol matching game is a "JavaScript HTML5 Applet," indicating that it is web-based and designed to run within modern web browsers without the need for additional plugins. The "Embed" section provides an iframe code snippet, demonstrating its ease of integration into webpages or learning management systems:

<iframe width="100%" height="100%" src="https://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/cardgame/ejss_model_cardMatching01/cardMatching01_Simulation.xhtml " frameborder="0"></iframe>

This embeddability enhances its accessibility for educators and students. The mention of "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore" in the title and credits suggests that the resource is freely available for educational use, aligning with the principles of open education. The license information in the "Matching Game of 9 by 9 cards" excerpt ("Released under a license") further supports this.

6. Credits and Development Context

Both resources credit Shaun Quek; lookang; based on idea by Kishan. This consistent attribution suggests a collaborative development effort. The inclusion under "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore" indicates a connection to a broader initiative focused on providing openly accessible educational materials in physics and related sciences. The mention of "Compiled with EJS 6.1 BETA (201115)" in the generic game suggests the use of the Easy JavaScript Simulations (EJS) toolkit for its development.

The extensive list of "Other Resources" linked at the end of the GHS symbol game page provides context for the platform and the range of educational simulations and games available through this initiative. This list showcases a diverse collection of interactive learning tools spanning various subjects and levels.

7. Potential Applications and Considerations

The "Matching Game using GHS Symbols" offers a practical tool for:

• Introducing GHS symbols: The training mode can be used to familiarize students with the symbols and their meanings.
• Reinforcing learning: The memory game mode can serve as a fun and engaging way to review and consolidate knowledge of GHS symbols.
• Differentiated learning: The availability of different modes allows educators to cater to students with varying levels of familiarity and memory skills.
• Assessment (informal): The game can provide teachers with an informal way to gauge student understanding of GHS symbols.

Considerations for educators include:

• Alignment with specific curriculum: While the game aligns with the LSS Syllabus in Singapore, educators in other regions may need to ensure its relevance to their specific curriculum requirements.
• Accessibility for all learners: Ensuring that all students can effectively interact with the game, considering factors like digital literacy and potential learning disabilities.
• Integration into broader learning activities: The game is likely most effective when integrated as part of a larger lesson or unit on lab safety and GHS.

8. Conclusion

The "Matching Game using GHS Symbols for Lower Secondary 2021 JavaScript HTML5 Applet" is a well-defined and accessible educational resource that leverages the engaging mechanics of a memory-matching game to help lower secondary students learn about important lab safety information related to GHS symbols. Its clear objectives, multiple game modes, and ease of embedding make it a valuable tool for educators looking to enhance student engagement and understanding of this crucial topic. The broader context of Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore suggests a commitment to providing high-quality, freely available educational materials.

Frequently Asked Questions: Matching Game of 9 by 9 Cards

1. What is the "Matching Game of 9 by 9 cards" described in these sources?

The "Matching Game of 9 by 9 cards" is a simple memory-based game designed as a JavaScript HTML5 applet. It typically features 18 cards laid face down, consisting of 9 matching pairs. In the specific context of the provided sources, the game uses Globally Harmonised System (GHS) symbols and their corresponding explanations, aimed at helping lower secondary students learn about lab safety.

2. What is the educational purpose of this matching game?

The primary educational purpose of this game is to make learning about the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) for lab safety more engaging and enjoyable for Secondary 1 students. By using a game format, it aims to help students memorize and understand the meanings of different GHS symbols and their associated hazards in a more interactive way than traditional learning methods.

3. How is the game played?

The game starts with 18 cards (9 symbol cards and 9 explanation cards) displayed face down in a random arrangement on the play area. Players click on two cards to reveal them. If the two revealed cards form a matching pair (a GHS symbol and its correct explanation), the player earns a point, and the matched cards are typically removed or remain face up. If the cards do not match, they are flipped back down to their original positions. The player continues this process until all 9 pairs have been successfully matched.

4. What are the different game modes available?

The sources mention at least two distinct game modes: "training mode" and "memory game mode." Training mode is designed for beginners and includes a timer. After starting in training mode, the game begins, and the timer starts. Upon completing all matches, the training session is finished, and players can reset to try another mode. The memory game mode is presented as an "advance challenge" where all cards are initially turned black (or presumably remain face down without a preview). Similar to the training mode, a timer begins after clicking start, and the game is completed when all cards are matched, allowing players to record their time and challenge others.

5. Who developed this game and under what license is it released?

The game is credited to Shaun Quek and lookang, based on an idea by Kishan. The software was compiled with EJS 6.1 BETA (201115). It is released under a license, although the specific details of the license are not fully elaborated in the excerpts, other than mentioning a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License for the contents and a separate commercial use license for the EasyJavaScriptSimulations Library (with contact information provided).

6. For which educational level is this game intended?

This specific implementation of the matching game, using GHS symbols, is explicitly intended for Lower Secondary (Secondary 1) students as part of their LSS Syllabus to learn about lab safety within the Globally Harmonised System.

7. Can this game be embedded into other web pages?

Yes, the sources explicitly provide an "Embed" option with an <iframe> code snippet. This allows educators or website administrators to easily integrate the interactive matching game directly into their own web pages or learning platforms.

8. Where can I find and run this game?

The embed code in the source provides a direct link to run the game: https://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/cardgame/ejss_model_cardMatching01/cardMatching01_Simulation.xhtml. This URL should allow users to access and play the matching game in a web browser that supports HTML5.