Frequently Asked Questions
It is with regret that we inform you that Playmada has decided to cease operations. After June 30, 2022 we will no longer be able to provide customer support and training for Collisions.
As of July 1st, 2022, Collisions will remain available and free to all educators and students.
Unfortunately, email, phone or training support will not be available. Visit the user support forum at https://playmada.boards.net.
We welcome you to continue making the most of using Collisions for free in your classroom.
Thank you for your support.
General FAQs
What is Collisions?
Collisions is a suite of free content-rich digital games designed to give students a deepened understanding of fundamental chemistry concepts through play. Collisions can be used to introduce, teach, and review key concepts in your chemistry classroom.
Where can I access Collisions?
Collisions is currently available on the web, iPad and Android tablets.
- Web version: https://app.playmada.com
- iPad: Download Collisions: Play Chemistry from the App Store.
- Android Tablet: Download Collisions: Play Chemistry from Google Play
What games are in Collisions?
Collisions includes the following 8 chemistry games:
- Atoms
- Ions
- Covalent Bonding
- Ionic Bonding
- Intermolecular Forces
- Acids & Bases
- Phase Change
- Equilibrium
Each game includes Tutorial Levels, Game Levels and an exploratory Sandbox. You can explore the chemistry concepts in each of these games by reviewing our Chemistry Content Integration Guide on our Classroom Resources page.
How can I bring Collisions into my classroom?
Collisions is completely free to use for both teachers and students!
- Teachers can sign up for a free account here.
- Students must have a teacher’s class code to create an account, or they can log in using a previously imported account from Clever or Google Classroom.
Is Collisions integrated with Google Classroom?
Yes, Collisions is integrated with Google rostering and Google share!
- If you’re new to Collisions or just setting up your classes, you can directly import your classes from Google Classroom and your students will be able to log in using the “Log In With Google” button.
- If you already have existing classes and students using Collisions, you can match your students’ Collisions accounts with their Google accounts to preserve the students’ progress, and enable them to use the “Log In With Google” button.
To assign a Collisions game via Google Share:
- Navigate to a class page in the Collisions Teacher Portal and click the Google share icon next to a specific Collisions game. This will prompt you to create an assignment to share with a specific Google Class that will link your students directly to the Collisions game selected.
Click here for full details about how to integrate Collisions with Google Classroom.
Is Collisions integrated with Clever?
Please Note:
- If you’re new to Collisions or just setting up your classes, you can directly import your classes from Clever and your students will be able to log in using the “Log In With Clever” button.
- If you already have existing classes and students using Collisions, you can match your students’ Collisions accounts with their Clever accounts to preserve their progress and also log in using the “Log In With Clever” button.
Click here for full details about how to integrate Collisions with Clever.
If I’m not a teacher or student enrolled in a class using Collisions, how can I access Collisions?
- You can click “Play The Game” in the blue bar above, and choose “Play Without Account” access Collisions. This will not save any of your progress, but it will allow you to freely explore Collisions in its entirety, with all levels, sandboxes, and connected levels already unlocked.
- In order to save your game progress, please create a free account with Collisions here.
Is Collisions geared toward a specific grade level?
Collisions is designed for any student in any general chemistry course – from middle school, through high school, and even including college level general chemistry! Each Collisions game incorporates multiple chemistry concepts during gameplay that increase in complexity, from atoms to atomic radii trends… from phase changes to IMF strengths and boiling points…. and so much more!
Please note that there is now a Higher Education version of Collisions, also available for free, located at he.playmada.com.
How can I use Collisions in the classroom?
Collisions is designed for flexible usage in the classroom and can be used before, during, and after the introduction of new content.
- Using Collisions pre-instructionally: The rules of Collisions are grounded in the rules of chemistry. As a result, as students learn to play the game, they are simultaneously learning chemistry. Using Collisions pre-instructionally can enable students to build a foundational understanding of concepts through exploration and can set the stage for teachers to make direct connections to the gameplay experience during instruction.
- Using Collisions during direct instruction: Teachers can use Collisions as a demonstration tool during direct instruction. The visuals from the games provide a great learning tool and can be used to reinforce and highlight a difficult concept in your classroom.
- Using Collisions post-instructionally: Using Collisions post-instructionally can offer students the opportunity for extended practice and content review. When using Collisions after direct instruction, students can draw on previous knowledge, adding context to their gameplay experience.
Is Collisions aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards?
Yes, Collisions is aligned to specific standards from the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Check out our free Lesson Plans to see how they align.
Is Collisions aligned to my state’s educational standards?
Collisions is aligned to many state science standards.
I’m a teacher from a school outside of the USA and Canada, can I still register for a free subscription?
Yes. To subscribe, please complete this registration form: https://www.k12.playmada.com/subscribe/
Implementation FAQs
How can I get started in setting up my classes?
Once you’ve signed up, you can begin setting up your classes in the Teacher Portal. Here’s a quick video to help get you started.
How do I use the Class Code?
The Class Code is used to invite students to your class.
If you have imported your students from Google Classroom or Clever, DO NOT use the class code – it will only result in students making duplicate accounts. Instead, have students use the “Log In With Google” button (or Clever, as needed) to log in to Collisions.
What classroom resources are available for teachers using Collisions?
As a teacher you have access to our library of classroom resources and lesson plans. You can view and download all of our free educator resources here.
For each Collisions game, you can download game guides, quick start guides, check for understanding activities, student worksheets, lesson plans, and more!
Is game progress saved?
Yes! As you play the game, progress for you and your students will be saved, as long as you are connected to the internet.
Can I track student progress as they play through the games?
Yes! You can view student progress by logging into our Teacher Portal.
How can I reset student passwords?
You can reset student passwords in the Teacher Portal under Manage Students. Select your class and your student, then click the button in the top right corner to reset password or unblock a student account. When resetting a student password, it will be reset back to the student username.
I imported my class through Google Classroom, but my students are having trouble logging in.
- If you imported your students, be SURE that they are using the “Log In With Google” button to enter Collisions.
- Do NOT give students the Class Code, as that will only result in them making duplicate accounts.
How can I assign specific games to students if I’m using Canvas/Clever/Moodle/Blackboard/Edmodo/Schoology/any other LMS?
Collisions is not intended to formally assign a game to students. Rather, as a teacher, you would simply communicate to the students which Collisions games/levels that you want them to complete. Once students begin work in the specified Collisions game, you will be able to monitor student progress in that particular game within the Teacher Portal. You can communicate the “assignment” information to students in a variety of ways, such as
- verbal instruction;
- writing the assignment on the classroom board;
- posting an ‘Assignment’ in a Learning Management System (LMS) such as Canvas, Blackboard, Schoology, Moodle, etc.
If you are posting the assignment within an LMS, it might be helpful to include a link to Collisions in that assignment for students to click on. We recommend that the general link for Collisions (app.playmada.com) be posted in a ‘Frequently Used Links’ section for students, and then “assign” the games in your wording. For example: “Homework: Please complete tutorial Levels 1-5 in Collisions game ‘Atoms’ by tonight; be ready to discuss, and work through additional levels with the class tomorrow.”
Technical Support FAQs
Where can I play Collisions on the web?
You can play Collisions on the web at app.playmada.com.
Where can I download Collisions for iOS?
The Collisions app for iOS can be downloaded from the App Store. Collisions is currently compatible with iPads.
Where can I download Collisions for Android?
The Collisions app for Android can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. Collisions is currently compatible with Android tablets.
Do my students need internet connection to access Collisions?
Collisions requires an internet connection to login. Once logged in, an internet connection is required to save game progress. However, if connection is lost during gameplay, players are still able to play and progress will be sent once the connection is re-established.
How do I create a Collisions username and password?
Usernames and passwords will be chosen during the account setup process. Accounts can be created here.
I've forgotten my username! How can I retrieve it?
If you are a teacher: You can use the email address that you signed up with as your username, along with your regular password. Once you are in Collisions, your username will be displayed on the bottom right corner of the screen.
If you are a student: Your teacher can look up your username in the Teacher Portal.
I’ve forgotten my password. How can I reset it?
Upon account setup, you were asked to generate security questions. Follow the link on the login screen to reset your password via the security questions.
I'm having trouble importing all of my students from Google Classroom. What can I do?
- Try reimporting the class again.
- If there is a problem with a specific student within the class, you can “Disconnect” that student from Google within the Student Actions menu.
- If there is a serious problem with importing students, you can disconnect the ENTIRE class from Google and try the import again.
- As a last resort, have the missing students join the class using the Class Code instead of importing them.
Can I play Collisions on multiple devices at the same time?
No, players can only be logged in to one device at a time. If login is attempted on another device during an active play session, simultaneous login will be detected and player will be unable to login.
I’m having trouble loading Collisions on the web. What can I do?
- Ensure that your web browser is up to date. Google Chrome is the recommended browser for Collisions.
- Clear your cache. Not sure how? Follow these steps.
Do you have a URL Whitelist?
Have your IT department whitelist *.playmada.com
My students had accounts last year, but now they cannot log in. What's going on?
Going forward, every student account in the system will be deleted every July 1. Additionally, all teacher accounts that have been inactive within the past 11 months will also be deleted.
This is partially to keep the user database to a manageable size in our absence, but also to reduce the likelihood of Google Classroom import problems when a student has been previously imported into one of our products.
If your students’ user accounts no longer exist, simply import them from Google Classroom (or Clever), or have them make Collisions accounts using the Class Code.