26 Learning Games to Change the World

Mission to Learn Blog Features Article:
"26 Learning Games to Change the World"
By jtcobb on Apr 29, 2008 in Games & Widgets

Jeff Cobb has a fantastic web site called Mission to Learn.  Among the myriad of useful articles and discussions featured on Mission to Learn is an article that lists 26 educational video games you can get for free online (only one costs money).  The amazing thing about these games is that they're largely focused on solving real problems facing our globe.  Whether you're a video game advocate or not, these video games empower kids to make positive global change in ways most classrooms cannot. Arguably, visual learning utilizing electronic media and tools has become a prevalent learning option, especially for the below 40 set.  Most of these video games offer a positive ethical approach to a deeper understanding of issues such as world hunger, nuclear threat and disarmament,  Global Warming, Darfur Devastation, 3rd World Farmer, and many, many more.

These video games have an interactive appeal that gives the player a chance to stave off disaster and repair our man made mistakes. This form of learning can be more effective in some ways than a documentary presentation of the same issue(s). In fact, like so many video games, they have a tendancy to keep your attention for longer than you might have anticipated, so if you try any of them at work, you might want to wait until you have a break before you get immersed.

Below are short summaries of a few of the 26 games to give you an idea of what you may choose from:

Stop Disasters!
“The on-line game aims at teaching children how to build safer villages and cities against disasters. Children will learn playing how the location and the construction materials of houses can make a difference when disasters strike and how early warning systems, evacuation plans and education can save lives.” From the United Nation/International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. Multiple languages. Good teacher resources.

Nuclear Weapons
“Take on the mission to disarm the world of nuclear weapons with the help of eight “Peace Doves!”” There are also five other educational games at this site. From NobelPrize.org.

Digital World Forum: Low Cost Laptop and Low Cost Broadband

PC computers have been the vector of deployment of Internet and Web access for most people and families of the Developed World. However, for a long time, it was not an affordable option for people in the Developing World. In order to tackle this problem, lots of initiatives have focused on starting telecenters. While these telecenters have been ext. . .

Added by  Cally Robyn Wolk  May 11, 2008
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ebooks and information 4 free

Eldis, a development portal, hosts this group which is intended to provide links to good places to go to access a number of resources on ebooks and online resources, such as Eldis itself. This space is partly to complement the work of Book Aid International’s physical book donation program, enabling BAI's partners and group members to share their k. . .

Added by  John Daly  May 11, 2008
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5th annual Games for Change Festival

This June, the only festival dedicated to the exciting new movement using Digital Games for Social Change will explore real-world impact, the latest games and funding strategies. Hosted in New York City by Parsons The New School for Design, the 5th annual Games for Change Festival will take place on June 2 - 4, 2008. Expert practitioners -- academ. . .

Added by  Cally Robyn Wolk  May 9, 2008
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  History of US Agriculture (Brief note)

This brief note provides the history of the US agriculture.

Added by  Shambhu Ghatak  May 9, 2008
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History of American Agriculture

This is a very interesting website which provides information on the history of American agriculture. The paradigm shifts in agricultural practices and institutions in the US could be assessed by a careful reading of the content provided here.

Added by  Shambhu Ghatak  May 9, 2008
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Equal Access

Equal Access designs and implements compelling communications and outreach projects that address the most critical problems affecting people in the developing world including education, women's empowerment, human rights, improved health practices and HIV/AIDS prevention. We employ a variety of methods-local audio and multimedia content production, . . .

Added by  Anuradha Bhattacharjee  May 8, 2008
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"26 Learning Games to Change the World"

This article provides short descriptions of 26 computer games that can be used for educational purposes. All deal with real issues of international development. Some are browser based and some are personal computer based. Almost all are free. The article was written by site owner, Jeff Cobb on Apr 29, 2008. Game titles include: Deliver the Net,Karm. . .

Added by  John Daly  May 8, 2008
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Rueters Article: Intel, Microsoft sell 150,000 laptops to Libya

Wed Oct 31, 2007 4:55am EDT: By Jim Finkle. BOSTON (Reuters) - Intel Corp (INTC.O: Quote, Profile, Research) and Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) are supplying Libya's government with 150,000 rugged laptop computers that cost $200 to build and are designed to meet the needs of children in developing countries. Intel spokes. . .

Added by  Cally Robyn Wolk  May 5, 2008
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OLPC Simple Online upgrade: improve your OLPC laptop for free

Intro to the update in below, follow link below to read th whole procedure. OLPC-update is designed to work with even the worst internet connections, and will do no harm if it is interrupted during download. If you don't like your new software update, you can revert to the older version by holding down the O key on the game pad (between the righ. . .

Added by  Cally Robyn Wolk  May 5, 2008
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BBC News Article: Intel backs wireless Africa plan

BBC News: Wednesday, 31 October 2007, 12:06 GMT Africa needs to embrace wireless broadband as a potential solution to the digital divide, the chairman of Intel Craig Barrett has said. "It's cheaper, easier and more efficient to communicate wirelessly," he told the BBC News website. Less than 1% of Africans have access to broadband and on. . .

Added by  Cally Robyn Wolk  May 5, 2008
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