Climate Change Game Name- Climate Challenge Company- BBC Stated educational use- Global Climate Change Target age for use- Middle and High School Cost- Free Platform- web-based Game structure and teaching- The goal of this game is to provide students with the knowledge to make a decision on the issue of global climate change. This is a subject that is currently being debated in the political arena. Some direct curricular-related educational aims could include- understanding the subject of climate change, learn how to examine the research and science of global climate change, and evaluate possible solutions for this issue. I think that this game should be used in a civics and economics course or a geography course. Students would learn how human activity not only has an impact on the environment of their country, but it could impact the entire global community. Some informal learning activities could be presented by allowing students to have the opportunity to debate each other, after this activity. In my opinion, this would allow students to voice their opinions and support them with evidence from their research. The 21st century teaching and learning aims that would be covered by this game would include- information and communication skills, thinking and problem-solving skills, and creativity and intellectual curiosity. Game Play- This game is easy to assess, you can go to the BBC website and play the game. First, you will select a player. Your goal is to lower carbon dioxide emissions, since you are president of a European nation. There are five areas which are; national, trade, industry, local, and household. Under the national section, the player can introduce a new fuel tax, privatize electricity, and plant small forests. Next, you can examine the trade section. According to this area, you can send foreign aid. The industry area has the following options- subsidize aviation, switch from coal to gas, and promote industrial energy efficiency. The local section allows the player to improve building regulations, build more roads, invest in water infrastructure, promote cooperative wind farms, and build affordable housing. And the household section allows the player to promote recycling. Each of the subsections provides the player with the positive and negative public opinion on these issues. So, this game challenges the players? decision making skills as well. Game Critique- This game really does not teach students about the subject of global climate change. Instead, it should be used as a tool that would reinforce a lecture of a video on the subject. I think that this game is perfect for a geography course, due to the global impact of climate change. The game is free, so you would not have to worry about purchasing the software. Also, you could implement this game in a computer lab, since students could access this via the Internet. Posted by ltwhites ( Oct 01 2007, 02:32:55 PM EDT ) Permalink Comments [0]