Social Justice Games

24. March 2010 by MrBall.

I have talked with several teachers about games that promote social justice. Within the ECSD community we have outlined our fourth goal as “Be a Highly Responsive and Responsible Catholic District”. The phrase we often banter around is “Think Globally, Act Locally”. This is a very nice thought but I always struggle with how I can demonstrate the”Think Globally” part to my students. Here are three games that allow students to catch a small glimpse of what Think Globally means.

Ayiti The Cost of Life is a web based game where students need to keep the quality of life up so that their family can do well.

http://www.unicef.org/voy/explore/rights/explore_3142.html

Food Force shows students how aid is delivered in war torn or crisis areas. How the food is used to pay people to help rebuild thier own community and many of the issues around the transport and delivery of the food aid. This game has to be downloaded.

http://www.food-force.com/

Third World Farmer allows students to make the tough decisions of a farmer in a 3rd world country. 

http://www.3rdworldfarmer.com/

There are other games related to poverty  listed here at the http://www.gamesforchange.org/channels/poverty website.

If you and your students are so moved to donate money to a good cause after playing these games I would like to recommend micro loan websites like Kiva.org. It is a great place to make responsible loans that continue to come back to you so you aren’t just thinking about how you can help once.

Access the PowerPoint here.

Posted in Social Justice, Games, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »