In this article, you’ll learn more about each of our exciting six train games as well as our compete games which are available to help master spelling skills in Twinkl Spelling for Web.
General Concepts
Before we dive into each game type, it is important to discuss some general concepts:
- Every game features all the ten spelling words of the chosen level and progress through a game is clearly indicated either by the gameplay itself or by the onscreen progress indicator top right.
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The general idea of the train games is to practise and prepare for the compete game, where a medal can be earned. Twinkl Spelling for Web allows you, the account holder, to determine how the game is to be played, and you’re free to use the game as you wish.
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There is no limit to the number of games that can be played or the number of times a game is replayed. Train games allow incorrect answers to be actively reattempted within the gameplay, whereas the compete game will proceed through all ten words, without reattempt, to give a final result.
- Upon completion of a train game, if at least one correct answer has been given, a random gem is awarded.
- Upon completion of a compete game, if at least one correct answer has been given, a random star is awarded.
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Additionally, in the compete games, if all ten words are answered correctly, a gold medal is awarded. Nine out of ten results in a silver medal, and eight out of ten results in a bronze medal.
- Whether a game can be exited mid-gameplay depends on the settings you choose for each learner.
Let's have a look at each game type:
Wordsearch
The Wordsearch train game does exactly what it says on the tin! Upon launch, a word search grid is presented, along with the ten level words to be found. Each word audio can be heard if it’s clicked in the list, and it's announced and highlighted purple when it’s found within the word search grid.
After all ten words are found and the word search is complete, a gem reward is given via the 'reward wheel' spinner. Then the learner is returned to the train game menu to train again with any of our six train games or, if they feel they’re ready, return to the level menu to assess their spelling skills with our compete game.
Word Jumble
The Word Jumble train game is based on anagrams. Upon launch, one of the ten words from that level’s word set is presented. This is the word to be spelled from the available letters. The word disappears and its constituent letters are shown in a jumble.
Correctly arrange the letters by clicking on them and submit the answer or use the delete icon to correct any mistakes. If a word is spelt correctly, the next word is presented. If a word isn't quite right, it can be repeated before moving on or skipped. Hear the word repeated by pressing the repeat button in the top right.
After all ten words are attempted, a gem reward is given via the 'reward wheel' spinner if at least one attempt was correct. Then the learner is returned to the train game menu to train again with any of our six train games or, if they feel they’re ready, return to the level menu to assess their spelling skills with our compete game.
React! & React! Extreme
Balance speed and accuracy within the React! and React! Extreme train games. Upon launch, one of the ten words from that level’s word set is presented. This is the word to be spelt from a choice of two letters within React! (one correct and one incorrect) or a choice of four letters within the more challenging React! Extreme.
The word disappears, leaving you to spell the word letter-by-letter by choosing the correct letter from the choices shown on the screen until the word is complete. If a word is spelt correctly, the next word is presented. If a word isn't quite right, it can be repeated before moving on, or skipped. Hear the word repeated by pressing the repeat button in the top right.
Learners can use our results table to analyse their performance and see if they can beat their previous ‘Total Time’ on our React! and our React! Extreme games:
Learners can also see the answers they got right and wrong and how long each answer took and how long the round took in total. To reward success, a bonus time reward is given for every correct answer.
The normal gem reward is then given via the 'reward wheel' spinner if at least one attempt was correct. Then the learner is returned to the train game menu to train again with any of our six train games or, if they feel they’re ready, return to the level menu to assess their spelling skills with our compete game.
Whack & Spell Game
Upon launch, one of the ten words from that level’s word set is presented. This is the word to be spelt from a grid of moving letters. The word disappears, leaving you to spell the word letter-by-letter by choosing the correct letters from the grid until the word is complete. Hear the word repeated by pressing the repeat button in the top right.
After all ten words are attempted, a gem reward is given via the 'reward wheel' spinner if at least one attempt was correct, then the learner is returned to the train game menu to train again with any of our six train games or, if they feel they’re ready, return to the level menu to assess their spelling skills with our compete game.
Look, Cover, Write, Check
Similar to the popular classroom retrieval technique, our Look, Cover, Write, Check train game displays one of the ten words from that level’s word set. The word is read aloud, and then used in a contextual example sentence. The word is gradually covered up until it disappears, leaving the word to be spelled letter-by-letter using either the hardware keyboard (your separate, physical device that you can touch and type on) or the on-screen keyboard (the keyboard that appears on the device's screen and is operated by directly clicking the letters). The learner can hear the word and/or contextual example repeated by pressing the appropriate repeat buttons in the top right corner.
After all ten words have been attempted, the learner can view the ‘My Results’ table, which displays whether the response was correct or incorrect, the question and the attempted answer.
As with our other train games, a gem reward is given via the 'reward wheel' spinner if at least one attempt was correct. Then the learner is returned to the train game menu to train again with any of our six train games or, if they feel they’re ready, return to the level menu to assess their spelling skills with our compete game.
The Compete Game
Finally, we have the compete game. This is launched directly from the level menu - not from the train game menu. The compete game is the only game where star and medal rewards can be earned and words cannot be repeated immediately if misspelt.
Upon launch, one of the ten level words is read aloud, then a contextual example is read aloud and is also shown on the screen. The learner then attempts to spell the word correctly using either the hardware keyboard or the on-screen keyboard. The learner can hear the word and/or contextual example repeated by pressing the appropriate repeat buttons in the top right corner.
After all ten words have been attempted, the learner can view the ‘My Results’ table which displays whether the response was correct or incorrect, the question and the attempted answer.
Then, a star reward is given via the 'reward wheel' spinner if at least one attempt was correct and, finally, a medal is awarded if the learner answered eight or more questions correctly (bronze - eight correct answers, silver - nine correct answers, gold - ten correct answers). The learner is then returned to the level menu.
Experiencing Issues?
If any of the train games or compete game freeze in any way or you’re unable to submit an answer, press the ‘Settings’ cog in the top-right of the screen. A pop-up should appear to enable you to reload the game. Unfortunately, progress made within that level may be lost.
If problems persist, please contact TwinklCares for further support.
This video gives a quick demonstration of the games available.
Summary
Hopefully, we've covered everything you need to know about our game types within the Twinkl Spelling for Web Learner Dashboard App. In the third part of the walkthrough, you will learn more about the reward system and game settings. Click here to continue to ‘Twinkl Spelling for Web ... Walkthrough Part 3 - Reward System’.
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