Learning about the Ancient World: Introducing Archaeogaming Education Modules (AEMs) as Classroom Resources

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Digitizing Archaeological Practice: Education and Outreach in the Archaeogaming Subdiscipline" session, at the 88th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Humanities education at the grade-school level, particularly that of the ancient past, has frequently been characterized as lacking in new technologies and teaching tools. Additionally, the subject of the ancient world itself can be complex and intimidating for teachers who may be unfamiliar with the topic. How can we make antiquity accessible and inviting to both learners and teachers? Archaeogaming is our answer. At Save Ancient Studies Alliance (SASA) we believe that there is tremendous educational potential to be found in the familiar format of video game graphics and in-game exploration. Over the past two years, SASA has created four Archaeogaming Education Modules (AEMs) that utilize the familiar footage of archaeologically themed video games, such as “Assasin’s Creed” and “Total War.” Our AEMs are based around scripted historical videos, using game footage, which explore archaeological themes such as “Urbansim in Ancient Egypt & Mesopotamia” and “The Viking Diaspora.” Videos are supplemented with discussion questions, games, activities, and background information written by subject matter experts and in collaboration with educational consultants. AEMs offer instructors the opportunity to easily embrace our shared human history, through methods that promote active learning and are relevant to today’s youth.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Digitizing Archaeological Practice: Education and Outreach in the Archaeogaming Subdiscipline   •
• Society for American Archaeology 88th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR (2023)

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 36811.0