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Gaming in the Classroom: How Educators Use Video Games to Teach History

As video games have grown in popularity, their educational potential has increasingly drawn the attention of teachers and schools worldwide. Today, educators are exploring the use of games like Civilization and Assassin’s Creed to engage students, bring historical events to life, and offer interactive learning experiences that go beyond traditional teaching methods. By integrating video games into history lessons, educators aim to make complex historical events and concepts more accessible and engaging, creating an environment where learning through play encourages deeper understanding.


Civilization
Gaming in the Classroom: How Educators Use Video Games to Teach History

Gaming in the Classroom: How Educators Use Video Games to Teach History


The Rise of Educational Gaming in History Lessons


Video games have long been a source of entertainment, but their potential to teach real-world concepts is gaining recognition. Historical games, in particular, provide a unique platform for students to experience events from the past interactively. Games like Civilization allow players to assume the role of historical leaders, making decisions that shape the growth of empires, while Assassin’s Creed immerses players in meticulously reconstructed historical periods, such as Renaissance Italy and Ancient Egypt. Through these experiences, students are encouraged to think critically, analyze decisions, and develop a more nuanced understanding of historical contexts.


For teachers, video games serve as valuable tools to bring otherwise distant historical events into the present, allowing students to explore history from within rather than as passive observers. By interacting with history in real-time, students gain insights into the complexity of historical events, including political, cultural, and social aspects that may not come across as clearly in textbooks alone.



Engaging Students Through Interactive Learning


One of the greatest benefits of using video games in the classroom is their ability to engage students who may struggle to connect with traditional teaching methods. Games offer interactive and immersive experiences, often making learning feel less like work and more like a personal adventure. With video games, students can take a hands-on approach to learning, which not only enhances retention but also fosters a sense of ownership over their educational journey.


For example, in a game like Civilization, students learn about the rise and fall of civilizations by managing resources, engaging in diplomacy, and making decisions that have long-term consequences. This can help students understand the interdependence of historical events and factors, such as geography, resource availability, and cultural interactions. This interactivity allows students to explore cause-and-effect relationships, bringing historical concepts to life in a way that feels tangible and immediate.



Learning Beyond the Textbook: A Look at Assassin’s Creed


Few games have pushed the boundaries of historical accuracy in gaming as effectively as Assassin’s Creed. The developers behind the series, Ubisoft, have created detailed recreations of historical cities and events, often consulting historians and experts to ensure authenticity in architecture, clothing, and even the socio-political climate. In recent releases, such as Assassin’s Creed Origins, Ubisoft introduced a mode called "Discovery Tour," which allows players to explore Ancient Egypt without engaging in combat or missions. Instead, players follow guided tours through iconic landmarks and learn about historical details directly tied to the era.


Teachers using Assassin’s Creed in their curriculum can guide students through these digital recreations, helping them visualize places like the Pyramids of Giza or the bustling streets of Ancient Rome. This virtual field trip method not only stimulates students’ interest but also provides a framework for them to understand how people lived, worked, and interacted in these historical settings. This active engagement transforms history from an abstract subject into a relatable, lived experience.



Developing Critical Thinking and Decision-Making Skills


Beyond just presenting facts, video games like Civilization and Total War encourage students to consider the ethical and strategic dimensions of historical decision-making. For instance, in Civilization, players might face dilemmas involving diplomacy, resource management, and conflict. Educators can use these scenarios to discuss the complexities faced by historical figures, allowing students to appreciate the difficulty of choices that impacted the course of history.


Through these interactive decisions, students develop critical thinking skills that go beyond memorization. They learn that history is shaped by countless variables, many of which are subjective or unforeseen. By simulating the role of historical leaders, students gain a sense of empathy and respect for the individuals who made pivotal decisions. This skill set translates into real-world applications, as students are encouraged to analyze and think critically about the factors that influence events.



Evidence of Video Games’ Effectiveness in Education


Studies on the educational value of video games show that interactive learning tools can improve engagement and retention. Research conducted by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop, for example, found that students who learn with digital media often demonstrate higher comprehension and a greater interest in subjects compared to those using traditional methods alone. By providing an alternative avenue for students to access complex information, video games help make learning accessible and appealing to students with diverse learning preferences.


For educators, the value of using video games in the classroom lies not only in their potential to enhance historical comprehension but also in their ability to inspire students to pursue knowledge independently. Many students who experience history through games often express curiosity about other aspects of the past, fostering a lifelong interest in learning.



Addressing Challenges and Concerns


While video games in the classroom present exciting opportunities, they are not without challenges. One concern is the risk of misinformation, as not all video games are created with historical accuracy in mind. To address this, teachers can use games as a starting point and encourage students to fact-check and research further. Games like Assassin’s Creed, while accurate in many aspects, still incorporate fictional elements. Educators can use these moments to engage students in discussions about the differences between historical fiction and historical fact.


Another concern is accessibility, as not all schools have the resources to incorporate video gaming consoles or computers with sufficient processing power. However, as technology advances, these barriers may lessen over time, allowing more students to benefit from educational gaming.


Conclusion:


The use of video games in history education marks a shift toward interactive, student-centered learning, where engagement and understanding are at the core. By incorporating games like Civilization and Assassin’s Creed into the curriculum, educators can provide students with immersive experiences that bring historical events to life and encourage critical thinking. As we move forward, video games have the potential to become a staple in classrooms, offering new ways for students to connect with history, engage with complex concepts, and develop skills that transcend the classroom. By blending education with gaming, teachers can reshape how we learn about the past, making history more meaningful and memorable for the next generation.


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