Teaching with the game

Global Conflicts: Palestine was intended to be of value both inside and outside of schools to edify people on the Israeli-Palestian conflict without taking sides. We also set our mind on not making just another edutainment title.

When you order an educational version of the game you receive an educational package including a teacher's manual.

What, isn't this just another edutainment title?
No, to be quite frank we resent most educational software produced over the years. If you don't believe us check out our history within research on game-based learning that is the critical foundation for us trying to push the field forward.

We think that classic edutainment titles stuck in time since the 1970s are if not highly problematic then extremely repetitive. Overall, the edutainment approach tend to rest on an assumption that we have to sugar-coat learning, which no teacher in their right mind can possibly agree with. The common heard argument at educational software shows are that learning numeracy and literacy is boring so we have to wrap it in nice graphics, scoring systems and make nice little sounds - and games are great for that. However, in general the graphics, scoring and sounds have no real connection with the learning experience.

So what is our game?
We take the complete opposite approach. We are convinced that learning about topics are interesting, and that it is a matter of engaging students at the right level and provide tangible experiences that provide relevance and good examples that abstract concepts can grow from. Furthermore, the learning and game experience should be intrated closely and enforce each other.

We also resent the fantasy that we through educational software can put unlimited learning power at the finger tips of teachers - making their role less important. We need you to step up to the challenge and facilitate students' educational use of computer games.

Imagine our game as a field trip. Students will experience important issues in fully immersive 3D world. But, they still need the teacher to broaden their understanding of these experiences. We can take them some of they way, but to be quite frank it is up to you as a teacher! We will not give you a full package but a lot of the contents you need. We are convinced you have amble resources to combine with the game - textbooks, news articles, map and primary sources - although we do of course at this site present you with some material.