Hello everyone! Today, we’re diving into an exciting educational tool called “Convene the Council.” This game is part of the iCivics program, which offers free games and learning materials for students interested in civics and social studies. It’s perfect for anyone curious about how countries interact and make important decisions.
“Convene the Council” is a game that lets you step into the shoes of the president of the United States. Your job is to lead the National Security Council and tackle international issues. The game was created with help from the Council on Foreign Relations, so it’s packed with real-world insights into diplomacy.
When you start playing, you choose a focus for your council, like “Prosperity.” This focus guides your decisions as you face different scenarios. You’ll have to pick policies that match your focus and learn how diplomatic choices are made. It’s a great way to see how different factors come into play when making big decisions.
As you play, you’ll encounter various crises that need your attention. You’ll also discover the roles of different government departments and how they help keep the country safe. Some players feel the game could do a better job of showing how their choices affect the outcomes, but it’s still a fantastic way to learn about diplomacy.
At the end of the game, you’ll get results that show how well you did. Some players think the feedback could be clearer, and there’s a concern that some might rush through the game without fully understanding the content. However, the game covers fascinating topics and provides lots of factual information.
For teachers and students who want to dive deeper, iCivics offers lesson plans and extensions on their website. These resources can help you get the most out of the game and understand the complexities of foreign policy.
Thanks for joining us today! If you’re interested in more educational tools and resources, be sure to check back every week. You can also sign up for our newsletter at commonsense.org/education to stay updated on the latest tools. We hope you enjoy exploring “Convene the Council” and learning about the world of diplomacy!
Imagine you are a member of the National Security Council. Choose a current international issue and prepare a short speech defending a policy decision. Present your speech to the class and engage in a debate with your peers, who will represent other council members with different viewpoints.
Design a new scenario for “Convene the Council” by researching a real-world diplomatic issue. Write a brief description of the scenario, including the countries involved and the potential challenges. Share your scenario with classmates and discuss possible policy decisions.
Use an online map tool to explore the countries involved in the game scenarios. Identify key geographical features and discuss how these might influence diplomatic decisions. Create a presentation to share your findings with the class.
After playing “Convene the Council,” choose one of the policies you implemented. Research its real-world implications and write a short report on how such a policy could affect international relations. Present your analysis to the class.
Discuss the feedback you received at the end of the game. In groups, brainstorm ways to improve the feedback system to make it more informative and engaging. Create a mock-up of your improved feedback system and present it to the class.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Greetings everyone, it’s Chrissy and Tanner from Common Sense Education. As we do every Tuesday, we’re here to share a new tool that may be useful for your classroom. Today, Tanner, what do you have for us?
We’re going to take a look at “Convene the Council,” which is one of the newest iCivics games. iCivics is a well-established civics and social studies program that includes a series of free games along with curriculum materials. The games are available on the web and various app platforms, targeting middle school to high school students.
“Convene the Council” focuses on diplomacy and was developed in partnership with the Council on Foreign Relations. It places the player in the role of the president, presiding over the National Security Council and addressing international issues while prioritizing responses.
Let’s take a look at the game itself. At the start, you set a focus for your council, such as “Prosperity.” You are then presented with scenarios and choices of policies that align with your chosen focus. The game is designed to help players understand how diplomatic decisions are made and the various factors that need to be balanced.
As you progress, you will encounter different crises that require responses, and you will learn about the roles of different departments and how they contribute to national security decisions. However, some players may find that the game could improve in showing the connection between their choices and the outcomes.
At the end of the game, you receive results that indicate your performance, but some feedback suggests that this assessment could be clearer. Additionally, there is concern that students might rush through the game without fully engaging with the content.
Overall, while the game tackles interesting topics and provides factual information, it may benefit from deeper interactivity and clearer consequences for decisions made.
Do you know if there are any lesson plans that accompany this game?
Yes, every iCivics game comes with a full set of lessons and extensions available on their site. These resources can help address some of the issues mentioned and provide a solid foundation for educators.
Thank you, Tanner! Be sure to check back every week for more tools and resources. Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on what’s new. Visit us at commonsense.org/education, and we would love it if you liked and subscribed to our content. We’re here to support you!
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This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while removing any informal language and extraneous details.
Civics – The study of the rights and duties of citizenship and the workings of government and society. – In civics class, we learned about how laws are made and the importance of voting in elections.
Social Studies – A field of study that examines society and how people interact and develop as a culture. – Our social studies project involved researching different cultures and their contributions to global history.
Game – An activity or contest governed by rules, often used as a metaphor for political or social strategies. – The political candidates were playing a strategic game to win the support of undecided voters.
Diplomacy – The practice of managing international relations and negotiating agreements between countries. – Diplomacy is crucial for maintaining peace and resolving conflicts between nations.
Policies – Principles or rules that guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes in governance. – The government implemented new environmental policies to reduce pollution and protect natural habitats.
Decisions – Choices made after considering different options and their potential outcomes. – The city council made several important decisions regarding the budget for public schools.
Council – A group of people elected or appointed to make decisions or give advice on certain matters. – The student council organized a meeting to discuss improvements to the school cafeteria.
Foreign – Relating to or originating from a country other than one’s own. – The president met with foreign leaders to discuss trade agreements and international cooperation.
Security – Measures taken to ensure the safety and protection of a country, organization, or individual. – National security is a top priority for the government to protect its citizens from external threats.
Resources – Materials, money, or other assets that can be used to achieve a goal or meet needs. – The geography class studied how different countries manage their natural resources like water and minerals.
