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Teaching History In Schools With Video Games
Joe writes "There's a story about a Massachusetts company, Muzzy Lane Software, creating a Civ-style simulation computer game to teach history to high school and college students. 'Our view isn't that you take the right video game, stick it in a classroom and everything gets better,' Mr. McCool said. 'But with the right tools, this can significantly enhance learning.'"
Beings aspergers AND pulling chicks... I enjoy the challenge!
So, like, the Nazis really made zombie monsters?
"Okay class, if you'll click on the GTA3 icon on your desktop, we'll begin."
... Civ-style simulation ...
- So, Johnny, what did you learn in school today?
- I learned that it is always good to back up your words with nuclear weapons, dad!
I hear there's rumors on the Slashdots
I remember the game, but I was always waiting for the (never released, sadly) sequel, "Where in Hell is Carmen Sandiego?"
So rise up, all ye lost ones, as one, we'll claw the clouds.
-=D34tH_fruM_4B0v3=- just carved up FRANZ_FERDINAND with his green shaft....
:)
World History UT2004.
+5:offtopic,but anti-American
Then your teacher could explain how that huy with the spear took out a stealth bomber. You know, just like what heppened in history.
"Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
..to put games in schools. Now if only their marketing guy ("Mr. McPopular") can convince the principal to buy it.
How about a "learn the presidents" doom-like game? As you run along happily blasting George, Lincoln, and all the other lesser-known presidents, you can learn their names as well as when they were president: "You just killed James Garfield, who was our 20th president, who served for only one year in 1881 before he was (ironically) shot to death". Bonus points for getting them in order!
I Am My Own Worst Enemy
Imagine playing as Alexander the Great, Julius Cesar, Attilla the Hun, or any other historical figure trying to build an empire.
"Hello Lisa, I'm Genghis Kahn! You'll go where I go, defile what I defile, eat who I eat!"
Those were the days...
It was called Bible Adventures.
There were a couple of Jesus freaks in my school and that was the only game they were allowed to play on the NES.
It was AWFUL. You had to collect the animals for Noah's Ark, play as David and beat Goliath, escape from the lion's den I think. Oh and you also had to part the water and escape from Egypt or something.
It was so bad it made baby Jesus cry.
That brings back memories for me as well...memories of giggling with glee that I found a loophole to escape to the library to play video games under the guise of "education."
(This guy in TFA seems to get that. They don't call him Mr. McCool for nothing)
I loved the game, but honestly, I learned nothing about the Oregon trail from except that shooting bears is easier than shoot rabbits. And little sisters get sick and die a lot.
Get a program that can take certain factors and use it to predict the outcome. After all, knowing math means we can predict the answers to math problems. Shouldn't knowing history mean the same thing?
Been reading any Isaac Asimov books lately?
-- Mojo Tooth : exploring our world as only an idiot can.
It was the only game in school that involved shooting guns. I also liked using humorous names that would end up on tombstones. "MYASS DIED HERE"