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Porto1
Multimedia presentation about online games
to approach the Palestinian cause
Jorge Delmar/GAP
World Education Forum
Palestine
October 2010
Computer technology has been developed in an exponential way over the past decades, creating new forms of relationship, communication and creating knowledge, whether in or out of educational institutions.
However, the use of digital artifacts like computers, mobile phones or Ipods, is under tremendous pressure of consumer society, which promotes the excess and instant entertainment through the picture-show, overshadowing the real world.
In this context, it is intended to reflect and raise several issues about the use of video games as a mean to inform and contribute to the formulation of an opinion on the Palestinian cause.
Considering different points of view exposed by several authors on the educational use of video games, we present a critical commentary on some online games available, taking into account the boundaries between pure entertainment and serious game.
Web references:
- http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Ch1-Digital%20Game-Based%20Learning.pdfLink: http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Ch1-Digital%20Game-Based%20Learning.pdf («The Digital Game-Based Learning Revolution» by Marc Prensky,
http://www.marcprensky.com/Link: http://www.marcprensky.com/ (Web page froman author who advocates the extensive use of video games in education.)
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http://inkido.indiana.edu/research/onlinemanu/papers/QA_ETRD.pdf.pdf (A learning and teaching project that uses a multiuser and
multiuser,virtual environment to immerse children in educational tasks)
- http://drupal6.allianceforchildhood.org/fools_gold(A critical look at computers in childhood)
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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2007.00793.x/pdf («The ‘digital natives’ debate: A critical review of the evidence» article by Sue Bennett, Karl Maton and Lisa Kervin, in British Journal of Educational Technology)
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http://www.digitalislam.eu/article.do?articleId=2515 («Palestine
(article by Vit Sisler «Palestinein Pixels: The Holy Land, Arab-Israel Conflict, and Reality Construction in Video Games» article by Vit Sisler)Games»)
Video games based on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict:
- http://www.spg.org.il/ (Created by the Israeli Human Rights group Gisha, that demonstrates just how difficult it is to leave the Gaza strip)
- http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/476393 (Game based on the Israeli offensive on Gaza)
- http://www.brand.co.il/unik/westbankIt(About the Israeli colonization of the Palestinian territories)
- http://www.underash.net/en_download.htm (Based on Palestinian familys' life between 1999-2002, during the second Intifada)
- http://www.kongregate.com/games/vivogd/gaza-defence-force (Shows the enormous gap in military power between Israel and Palestine)
- http://www.globalconflicts.eu/(Serious game where a journalist must write an article about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict)
- http://www.peacemakergame.com/ (Bringing Peace to the Middle East through the game)