VIDEO GAMES/SIMULATIONS WITH A PURPOSE

Video Games/Simulations with a Purpose

As a teacher of American Government, I am amazed to discover just how many adult learners are not totally familiar with the electoral process.  More importantly many of us do not know how campaigns are planned, organized, or executed.  As suspected my curiosity got the best of me and in accordance with the assignment, I began my search looking for something that deals with my subject specifically instead of just locating the normal everyday games.  I did find a couple of potential game changers. First there is President Forever 2016 and The Game of Politics

President Forever 2016

First I will discuss why I decided on President Forever 2016 developed by 270soft “where gaming gets political” which has several they have games for the Commonwealth type political system, world elections, as well as U.S. Elections. According to the website, 270soft “brings the political and cultural process alive for people of all ages.”  The main point made by the company is that there simulations are excellent educational games for social studies, civics, history, geography, and political science.  This is right up my alley.

 http://270soft.com/us-election-games/president-election-game-2016/                

President Forever 2016 will be used as a companion to teaching U.S. history, American Presidential Elections, and Political Science.  There will be several other areas I can and will go into such as interest groups, Congressional influence on the presidential elections and how the electoral process works. This game will provide lasting educational gains that will spread by the excitement my students will have for finally learning the process.

The Game of Politics

The second simulation I found that has direct correlation to my field of study is “The Game of Politics.”  The Game of Politics is a direct connection to and appropriate for upper secondary and higher education government classes, continuing education courses, civic education conferences, community organizations or elder hostel.

http://gameofpolitics.com/index.htm

The Game of Politics
 

American Government Simulation

 

 

This is actually a computer based simulation game designed specifically for classroom use.  Since I am teaching online, I would need to capitalize on the online method that would allow me to connect with my students at distant locations.  The Game of Politics is a role playing game whereas you assume the identity of key players in the political process, from your beat reporter to President of the United States.  You can be speaker of the house, chairman of a major committee, or justice on the Supreme Court.  The Game of Politics will be used to direct students along process of creating, debating, supporting, lobbying against, and winning public opinion during the political process of congressional activity.  I can use this simulation or game to education my students on the congressional process or more importantly the bureaucracy. 

The meat of these two games/simulations lies on their direct association with my subject.  Both deal directly with American government and politics.  I don’t need to go any further except to find more time to engage and implement both of these games/simulations.

Semper Fidelis