Gaming and Democracy: Teaching Civic Involvement Online

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Academic Leadership//

September 29, 2010


“Nationwide, barely one-third of Americans are able to name the three branches of government, much less say what they do. Now, less than one-fifth of high school seniors can explain how civic participation benefits our democratic system of government. Less than that can say what the purpose of the Declaration of Independence is, and it’s right there in the title!” said O’Connor, as keynote speaker at the 2010 Games for Change Festival. “I don’t know about you, but that worries me and that’s how I got involved in this effort to develop some civics education on a free Web site … that includes games as part of the teaching process.”

iCivics.com players are led through a variety of tasks including navigating through the U.S. court system, serving as a legislator and trying to meet the needs of constituents, and being the President of the United States. Games have feedback and sharing options like "post to Facebook" and "send to a friend." In addition to the games—called things like Do I Have a Right?, Executive Command, and Argument Wars—the site offers curriculum units for teachers. You can also follow iCivics.com on Twitter, using #iCivics and “friend” iCivics.com on Facebook.

To check out iCivics, visit here.

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