The Rise and Fall of Civilizations

Submitted by: Loretta Tillman
Collaborators: Mike Dunavant (ITRT), Jim Coe (ITRT)
School: Varina High School

Summary

The students will play the sim game “Civilization 4” in order to learn about the foundations and ordering of societies. They will also be given discussions topics, to be completed in the Weekly Electronic Forum, on Mondays, regarding such questions as “why do wars start?” and “what does religion contribute to a society and how does it connect two or more societies together?” They will also be required to complete a daily update of their Facebook template page of their leader that will record the interactions between them as well as the changes in each individuals outlook while playing the game. This game was played over a school Wi-Fi network, in a controlled setting. Technology support is required to set up the wireless environment and install of the program.

TIPC Ratings

Ideal/Target – Students will research the life and achievements of their selected leader and will show this in their Facebook Template.

Ideal/Target – The Civilization 4 gaming experience provides methods of in game communication. Additionally, students will sometimes be required to work together to achieve mutual aims. Finally, students will be in communication with each other as they answer the questions of the Discussion Forum.

Ideal/Target – Civilization 4 presents players with a continuous set of problems reminiscent of those that humans have faced throughout the ages. Students will have the opportunity to constantly use both critical thinking skills and those involved with solving simple and complex problems in order to win the game. Additionally, in order to answer the questions in the Discussion Forum, students will need to thinking deeply about the problems presented in the game and their responses to those challenges and then present them in an organized and thoughtful fashion.

Ideal/Target – To produce the Facebook Template, students will be required to develop a high-quality product that shows a substantial level of personal creativity and a depth of understanding about the historical processes involved in change through innovation and creativity.