Like Oregon Trail, those “accidents” were common and historically accurate. Ok, so maybe the game isn’t as memorable for the content it tried to teach, but for its “shock value.” When I was designing our Building Detroit online game, I chose to include the possibility that children could die of cholera or from drowning in the Detroit River. Google what he thought, just to see what I could find. Is it because it employs game design in a way that engages students and facilitates learning? Or is it something else. I wanted to know WHY The Oregon Trail has become so iconic. (I admit I am tempted to buy the “You died of Dysentery” hipster t-shirt.) It has become so iconic that it has bled into our popular culture. And don’t get me started on my fascination with The Oregon Trail.Īh ha! The Oregon Trail.

Granted, I was the type of 1980s kid that loved Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego on my Apple IIGS. I was there merely to share trends in the field in regards to using games to teach history, and Dave helped us understand why games work as learning tools and how to build a game that meets our goals.Īs I was preparing for the session, I was thinking about the effectiveness of history-based games. Paul this past September, I had the good fortune to lead a workshop on game design with David Schaller of Eduweb.

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