Abbreviated from: Mind/Shift Article,
"5 Online Games that Teach Kids the Art of Persuasion"
with opinions added by Amy
Wichman (who eliminated two of the five)
“The five games model the work of argumentation. Best of all
they approach the subject critically, showing the myriad of uses for persuasion
and how it’s always political.”
Quandary for
students ages 8 -14
Take time to watch the video at this homepage of the
game. The game forces students to
separate facts from opinion. A great
“boost” when doing a lesson on argument and opinion. Students play it online and try to make the
best decision for the community even though there is no clear right or wrong
answer. It appears sophisticated and logical with a terrific teacher’s
guide.
Citizen Science for 6th-8th
grade students
Citizen Science is an
online flash-based computer adventure game in which the player is a young adult
who becomes concerned about the health of a local lake threatened by
eutrophication. Based at Lake Mendota in Madison, WI, the player's goal is to
restore the lake. By focusing on the ecological needs of Lake Mendota as well
as the surrounding community, the game is able to bring together real-world
issues and scientific practices.
The player has to
“build sound arguments” after talking to characters in the game, using the
words, “because and although” to make sound arguments. The point is, some are arguments and others
opinion. It’s a little difficult to
figure out at first, but certainly students immersed in the game will gain
insight.
Argument Wars for
students in grades 7th-12th
This game is debate style, where the
players become the lawyers in real court cases.
What really works is the engagement with the arguments and the player’s
ability (or inability) to dig into real cases and arguments with the US
Constitution. Players do need an
account, but even if students spent 15-30 minutes playing they the lesson is
engaging, informative, and fun.
This
same company has LOTS of engaging games – including Branches of Power, Supreme
Court, and Rights. The website is DEFINITELY
worth checking out for Social Studies education.