TIGSource Forums

Hi all,

I teach the LSAT and I have noticed that a lot of my students have trouble with visualizing Venn diagrams in their mind. To do well on the test you need to be able to manipulate these graphs in your head in the same way that you can do simple addition (37 + 14) in your head by visualizing the process of writing one number (37) above the other (14), adding the first two numbers on the right (7 and 4), writing the result below, carrying/writing the 1 above the second column, adding the second column (1, 3 and 1), and writing the result below. Just as you can imagine yourself writing this stuff out in your head (as long as the process doesn't involve too many numbers), you need to be able to manipulate Venn diagrams: making them bigger or smaller, moving them around, having them overlap to one degree or another.

I want to make a game that will make people more comfortable with Venn diagrams, but I'm having trouble figuring out how to make it fun. I'd be interested in getting feedback from the people on this forum.

Here is what I have so far:
http://www.nathanwailes.com/games/venn-diagram-teacher/

(http://www.nathanwailes.com/games/venn-diagram-teacher/sample.png)

The core mechanic is there, but it's not at all fun. That's what I'm hoping to get ideas about.

Things I'm thinking I should add:
 - Make it more linear so that I can control the experience (right now it's randomized)
 - Add a story / spoken dialogue
 - Add humor
 - Add music

So: How can I make this fun?

Hi Nathan, I had a brief play and I was pleasantly surprised to find myself having fun!

It's a great way of teaching kids, as you can see the conditions being met (turning green) as you craft the right venn diagrams. Well done! I wish I had games to teach me when I was a kid  :beer:

I really like the idea, and I think your students will thank you for it.

Here are some suggestions:
- Make it more obvious that you can drag the circles around, I beat the first two levels without realizing that you could arrange them at will.
- Use real things instead of made up ones! This would make playing the game more interesting since it relates to things they already know.
- Colors! Everyone likes colors. If you make them have different colors when you overlap it'll help students understand how the overlap works.
- I think some sound effects when a circle starts/stops overlaping another circle could make for a more interesting experience.
- You could have a per-diagram score to penalize the trial and error approach without impeding experimentation.

Alternatively you could also have a graphic representation of the diagram that changes just like the red and green text does right now, but showing the actual objects. This may be a bit too much work though.