Inspire social action through gaming with Evoke
March 17, 2010
Evoke is a alternate reality gaming (ARG) activity designed to help young people learn about global issues and take part in social action projects. Sponsored by the World Bank Institute and developed primarily by Jane McGonigal (well known in the ARG world), this simulation game seeks to collectively engage participants aged 13 and older in learning about issues affecting the world, and then moving them into social action in their own communities.
The game’s motto is, “If you have a problem, and you can’t solve it alone, EVOKE it.” Each week, starting back in the first week of March and running through May 12, the Evoke site will launch a new “mission” for participants, told through stories in webcomic form. Topics will include poverty, disaster relief, education and more. Students who complete at least one mission before the May 12 deadline earn a spot on the Evoke Network, where members may become mentors to others in future Evoke projects.
The game encourages collaboration among participants to solve problems. The “winners” of the game are those who complete at least one mission, but there are also tiers of status for Evoke players, including an invitation to an Evoke summit in Washington, D.C. later this year.
The Evoke website has plenty of resources to explain the game concept and how to play the game, which is a mix of research on issues, drawing up a plan of action and accepting the challenge to make change in the world. Video tutorials provide a nice and simple overview for both teachers and students (the players). If you need more convincing, watch this video trailer.
Using it in the classroom
If you were to poll your students on whether they play online games when they’re not in school (such as World of Warcraft or Xbox Live), my bet is that you would get plenty of hands in the air. With Evoke, Jane McGonigal and others are trying to use that interest for learning about social justice issues. While a site like Evoke may not be for everyone, it could be a way to engage learners on important global issues and then move them to take action in their own communities. And since players are expected to maintain blogs and other online places to track their work, it’s feasible to think this activity could be part of an enrichment program, if not part of a regular class itself.
Alternate Reality Games (in Education Week)
Related stuff:
Free lesson planning from the Red Cross for disaster preparation
FreePoverty donates drinking water based on your geography knowledge
