We spend three billion hours a week playing online games, but game designer Jane McGonigal thinks this isn't enough. In fact, she thinks we should be playing games for at least 21 billion hours a week for the next ten years.
For over ten years McGonicall has been designing online games. She wants to convince more people to spend more time bigger and better games. Why? She believes that playing online games might help solve global problems like poverty, climate change and obesity.
Write a full sentence response in your notebook to the following questions.
1. How often does McGonigal think we should be playing online games?
2. What kinds of problems does McGonigal think online games can help solve?
GAMING CAN MAKE A BETTER WORLD
For over ten years McGonicall has been designing online games. She wants to convince more people to spend more time bigger and better games. Why? She believes that playing online games might help solve global problems like poverty, climate change and obesity.
Write a full sentence response in your notebook to the following questions.
1. How often does McGonigal think we should be playing online games?
2. What kinds of problems does McGonigal think online games can help solve?
GAMING CAN MAKE A BETTER WORLD
Critical Thinking
1. Reflecting: Would you like to play World Without Oil or Superstruct? Why or why not? Write your answer and then discuss with a partner.
2. Evaluating: Do you agree that gamers have 'superpowers' and are a resource that we can use to solve problems? Write your answers and then discuss your reasons with a partner.
1. Reflecting: Would you like to play World Without Oil or Superstruct? Why or why not? Write your answer and then discuss with a partner.
2. Evaluating: Do you agree that gamers have 'superpowers' and are a resource that we can use to solve problems? Write your answers and then discuss your reasons with a partner.
Project
A. Work with a partner. You have been hired by the institute for the future to come up with a proposal for an online game that can have a positive impact on the world.
You need to decide:
B. Work with two other pairs
Explore more
Read "10 online games.... with a social purpose on the TED Blog. What are some other games that help people think about big real-world problems?
A. Work with a partner. You have been hired by the institute for the future to come up with a proposal for an online game that can have a positive impact on the world.
You need to decide:
- on a global issue. Some ideas include reducing climate change, fighting epidemics, resource shortages (water, oil, trees, ect.)
- the games goal; how the game works, what do gamers need to do?
- the title of the game
B. Work with two other pairs
- Give your presentation. Explain your proposal.
- Which proposal is the most likely to receive funding from the Institute for the Future?
Explore more
Read "10 online games.... with a social purpose on the TED Blog. What are some other games that help people think about big real-world problems?