Games for learning history

But the fun lies in making choices, which often change the course of history. Video games can produce alternative histories—Caesar can lose to the Helvetii. By making decisions and dealing with the consequences, students better understand the complex factors confronted by historical actors, and can exercise critical thinking and historical knowledge when asked to reflect on why their gameplay varied from the historical record. The unit concluded with a structured round-table Harkness discussion , which students prepared for with a note-taking outline we provided for them.

During the Harkness, they reconstructed the event from various sources, unpacked biases, and deliberated on how each medium affected the message. How does perception change depending on whether we read it, watch it, or interact with it? The film and the game reveal that Caesar was in debt and facing corruption charges in Rome.

Farrar and I watched and assessed from the sidelines as our student historians discussed and debated the shortcomings and merits of each source as an imperfect window to the past.

The mysterious fate of the Great Library of Alexandria is ideal for exploring the speculative side of studying history. The destruction of this vast collection of scrolls has caused countless scholars to wonder at the colossal loss of ancient knowledge.

These history games are perfect for specific unit studies or periods in time. History is anything but dull, and finding ways to incorporate these games into your homeschool is sure to break up the day, add in some fun, and create memories while your children learn!

Your email address will not be published. Skip to content. Share Pin Previous Previous. Next Continue. Have fun learning! Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Engaging teacher-created edu site helps kids learn. Get it now Searching for streaming and purchasing options Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free. Get it now on Searching for streaming and purchasing options Geo Walk - World Factbook 3D.

Brilliantly designed app about Earth's people, places, more. Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Railway Empire. All aboard solid simulation of the rise of the rails. Platforms: Linux, Nintendo Switch, Windows. The Time Tribe. Slow-paced adventure introduces players to history. Platforms: Mac, Windows. Who Was? Fun biography game drops knowledge on kids.

Tons of fun info on topics from math to history to sports. The Oregon Trail: American Settler. Frontier building sim a fun, entertainment-focused sequel. Education-focused historical tours without mature content. Attentat WWII history brought to life in visually striking tale. Platforms: Windows.

Mayan Mysteries. Cartoony learning adventure about ancient Mayan culture. Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows.