http://digitalplay.info/blog/2010/02/discussion-topics-1-war-and-conflict/
Level: Advanced
Topic: War & Conflict
Speaking Focus: Expressing opinions
Time: 30 – 45 minutes
Game: Against all odds
Against All Odds is an online video game developed by UNHCR designed to teach players about the plight of refugees. This first episode entitled ‘War and conflict’ looks at the problems faced by dissidents within a country where the military has just taken power.
Preparation
You need to go through a few steps after entering the site before you can get to play the game. The steps are:
1) Click on Open in full screen.
2) Click on Play against all odds.
3) Choose your game characters identity. i.e one of the characters (use the left right arrow to move between the characters) and write in a name before clicking on No! Play without registering.
4) Click on the number 1 in the War and Conflict box.
Playing
In pair learners look at the statements and discuss reasons why they should/ shouldn’t tick yes/ no. When you judge that the activity has finished take a class vote on where to put the tick. There is a short text on the next screen and if you see fit to discuss the facts here or language feel free. Try to keep the pace of the activity up while allowing enough time for learners to discuss the statements.
In open class ask what problems citizens might have in an oppressive regime.
In pairs learners look at the objects in the room and try to remember them. When the 2 minutes are up they write a list of objects they remember and then discuss what items they would take and why. Move pairs into groups of 4. Compare lists and discuss which items they should take. Continue pyramid discussion until class decides on which objects they would take. The class tells a learner who plays the game what to pack. Is there enough room?
This is an hand-eye co-ordination game so just ask a volunteer to come to the front of the class and play the game. The class can help by giving directions. If they fail at any point in the game then ask for a different volunteer to step up and play the game. Before they come up ask them how they will play the game differently.
Any text that appears that requires a decision to be made should be discussed in open class.
Learners look at the different options and discuss the pros and cons of each different method of fleeing the country. Take a class vote and then click on the option they decided on. If they choose an option that’s not open to them tell them there is in fact only one correct answer. In groups they discuss which one and why. Allow time for learners to read text and ask them if they know why that route may not have been good. In fact, the truck is the only option they can take. Go through the ‘truck’ dilemmas allowing groups to discuss and vote on each option.
Post Play
Write a composition based on topics and issued raised while playing the game.
Discuss the game in open class.
Role play one of the sequences from the game.
Write a short story based on the experience of the character in the game.
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