iCivics

iCivics, inc. (formerly Our Courts) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes civics education and encourages students to become active citizens. iCivics was founded by retired Supreme Court of the United States Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. O'Connor started the web-based education project because she was concerned that students' failing grades on civics examinations were due to inadequate information and tools required for civic participation, and that civics teachers needed better materials and support.[1]

iCivics is a web-based education project that offers an array of free interactive games and activities for students.[2]

Significance

After leaving the bench in 2006, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor grew concerned with the frequency and character of verbal attacks directed at the courts.[3] O'Connor reasoned these attacks stemmed from a "fundamental misunderstanding of the role of the judicial branch of government."[4] To educate students, Justice O'Connor suggests tapping into the 40 hours a week teenagers spend online by promoting videogames to teach the fundamentals of civics and active engagement[5] Since the launch in 2009, iCivics' games have been played over 2 million times.[6]

History

In March 2009, iCivics, inc. grew out of the Our Courts project, a joint venture of Georgetown University Law School and Arizona State University.[7][8] In August 2009, Our Courts added Supreme Decision and Do I Have A Right? to the website.[9] Our Courts became iCivics in May 2010. A more comprehensive website was launched, supplementing the gaming modules with classroom lessons on the branches of government. iCivics creates free lesson plans, videogames, and interactive activities for middle and high school students and educators.[10]

iCivics incorporates interactive activities like opinion polls and web quests, and tries to "empower students with knowledge of their government."[11]

The website has different access points for teachers and students.

Above The Law sponsored a Do I Have A Right? challenge in 2010.[12]

There are 21 civics games available online.[13] Filament Games is the primary developer of the educational games.

Media

In March 2009, Justice O'Connor went on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and promoted civics through Our Courts.[14] [15] Justice O'Connor was the keynote speaker at Games for Change in 2010, and iCivics was featured at the Games for Change conference in New York in 2011.[16]The Washington Post Editorial Board highlighted the shortcomings of civics, and the efforts of iCivics.[11] Newsweek featured Justice O'Connor and the iCivics initiative on Independence Day, 2011. [17]

Content

Twenty-one different computer games have been launched by iCivics.

Do I Have a Right?

In Do I Have A Right?, the player controls firm of lawyers who specialize in constitutional law.[18] The player must decide whether potential clients have a right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, and if so, match them with the right lawyer. The more clients served, the faster the law firm grows.

Argument Wars

Argument Wars is a simulation of a courtroom argument. Players test their persuasive abilities by arguing real Supreme Court cases, and must convince a judge that the law is on their side.[19]

Supreme Decision

In Supreme Decision, the player is a Supreme Court law clerk to a fictional Justice who grabs you on her way to an oral argument in a case involving a student's right to wear a banned band t-shirt.[20] The Court is split 4-4. The game divides the First Amendment case into four issues that are explained through the other eight Justices' conversations. The player puts together the legal analysis needed to decide the case.[21]

References

  1. ↑ Dillon, Sam (4 May 2011). "Failing Grades on Civics Exam Called a ‘Crisis’". New York Times. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  2. ↑ "Free Social Studies Resources". National Education Association. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  3. ↑ Schiesel, Seth (9 June 2008). "Former Justice Promotes Web-Based Civics Lesson". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  4. ↑ "An Interview with Sandra Day O'Connor". US Courts. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  5. ↑ Friedman, Danielle. "O'Connor's Videogame Revolution". Newsweek. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  6. ↑ "Games For Change". Games For Change. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  7. ↑ Curley, Jeffrey. "iCivics Celebrates Gaming Milestone". iCivics. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  8. ↑ Hansell, Saul (5 June 2008). "Sandra Day O’Connor’s Plan for Joystick Justice". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  9. ↑ Zehr, Mary Ann (August 20, 2009 (updated August 25, 2009)). "Celebrities Lend Weight to Promote Civics Education". Education Week (Education Week). Retrieved 19 July 2011. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ↑ "iCivics (formerly Our Courts) homepage". iCivics. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Editorial Board (17 June 2011). "Making History and Civics a Priority". Washington Post. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  12. ↑ Lat, David. "The ATL ‘Do I Have A Right?’ Challenge: Congratulations from Justice O’Connor". Above The Law. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  13. ↑ O'Connor, Sandra Day. "How to Reboot Civics Education". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  14. ↑ The Daily Show. "Justice O'Connor Interview". The Daily Show. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  15. ↑ Jones, Ashby (4 March 2009). "Justice O'Connor: Not Only Smart and Moderate...But Funny!". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  16. ↑ Tsai, Charles. "Al Gore: 'Games Are the New Normal'". Huffington Post. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  17. ↑ Friedman, Danielle. "O’Connor’s Videogame Revolution". Newsweek. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  18. ↑ Koo, Gene. "Do You Have a Right? iCivics Asks Kids to Master the Bill of Rights". Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  19. ↑ Owens, Trevor. "Argument Wars Redux". Play the Past. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  20. ↑ Lat, David, and Kashmir Hill (4 October 2009). "Kashmir Hill and David Lat -- Online Games Aim to Teach Kids About Courts". The Washington Post. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  21. ↑ "Educating for Democracy in a Digital Age". The Aspen Institute. Retrieved 19 July 2011.

External links