[game_edu] Choosing a DS Game for use in an Educational Setting

[Dawn Hawkins]

Hello Games_Edu Listserv Members,

Please forgive the cross posting.

I am in the process of evaluating games for my doctoral dissertation.  I
want to look at whether a specific video game (to be determined with your
help) which was developed for entertainment, can also have an effect on a
third or fourth grade student's ability to master an academic standard.  I
am focusing on Math, since it seems to an academic discipline that shows the
most promise.  

I am looking for a game that is available on the Nintendo DS and may even be
available on a second platform (e.g. Wii, Gamecube or PS2).  It seems that
all of the games I have evaluated either have no real educational value
(from which I can measure and align to academic standards) or they are too
focused on "learning" and do not hold any real game play motivation for
either my children or me.

Do you have recommendations for games that are both fun to play, for an
average 9-10 year-old, and have that contain enough educational components
that I can successfully align them to national and state standards in a
particular academic discipline?  Your suggestions of commercially available
titles will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your considered thoughts and opinions.

Dawn Hawkins