Hello! Today, we’re diving into a fascinating game called Radio General. This game isn’t specifically made for classrooms, but it offers a unique way to learn about World War II and strategy. If you enjoy history or strategy games, this might be right up your alley!
Radio General is a computer game where you play as a general in the Canadian Armed Forces during World War II. Your job is to command your troops from a tent, using a battle map to plan your strategies. The game is available on Windows and Linux and costs about twenty dollars.
In Radio General, you get to experience the challenges of being a military leader. You’ll make important decisions that can affect the outcome of battles and even the lives of your soldiers. The game includes real news clippings, photos, and documents from the World War II era, giving you a deeper understanding of history.
One of the coolest parts of Radio General is that you use your voice to command your units. You send radio signals and receive updates from your troops, which helps you adjust your strategies on the map. This makes the game feel very realistic and immersive.
If you really get into the game, there’s a map editor feature that lets you create your own battle maps. This can be a fun way to connect what you’re learning in class with the game. You can design your own scenarios and see how your strategies play out.
The game can be a bit chaotic, making you feel like you don’t have full control, which is part of the challenge. However, if you have trouble using your voice, there’s an option to control the game with a mouse and keyboard. Plus, the game supports multiple languages, making it accessible to more players.
Radio General is a unique blend of gaming and learning that offers a fresh way to explore history. While it might take some extra effort to use in a classroom setting, the educational benefits are worth it. If you’re curious about World War II or enjoy strategy games, give Radio General a try!
Thanks for joining us on this exploration of Radio General. Don’t forget to check out more resources at Common Sense Education. Over and out!
Use the map editor feature in Radio General to design your own World War II battle scenario. Think about the geography, troop placements, and objectives. Once you’ve created your map, share it with a classmate and challenge them to strategize and win the battle.
Research a specific World War II battle or event that interests you. Prepare a short presentation for the class, including key facts, outcomes, and any interesting stories. Use images and documents from the era to make your presentation engaging.
Practice using voice commands by playing a round of Radio General. Focus on clear communication and precise instructions. Afterward, discuss with a partner how effective your commands were and what you could improve.
Form a small group and discuss different strategies you used in the game. Talk about what worked well and what didn’t. Consider how these strategies relate to real-world military tactics during World War II.
Write a short story from the perspective of a general during World War II. Use your experiences from playing Radio General to describe the challenges and decisions faced. Share your story with the class and discuss the historical accuracy and creative elements.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hello there! It’s Chrissy and Tanner from Common Sense Education here again to give you the scoop on some cool tools that you can use in your classroom. We are here every Tuesday to help you out and share some great resources. Also, be sure to visit us at Common Sense Education to check out our myriad resources that may be helpful to you.
Today, it’s Tanner’s turn. Tanner, please take it away!
Yeah, so the caveat with this one is that we’re going to be talking about a game called Radio General. You can find the developer’s website for this game. It’s not designed specifically for classrooms, but when I saw it, I thought it had a lot of potential, especially for students who are interested in World War II or strategy games.
We rated it for grades 7 to 12. It’s a traditional PC game, currently available only on Windows and Linux, and it costs about twenty dollars. This is somewhat of an edge case, but I think it’s interesting for educators to explore how many consumer games offer compelling learning experiences.
The premise of Radio General is that you play as a general in the Canadian Armed Forces during World War II, commanding your forces like you would in a typical strategy game. You’re in a tent overlooking a battle map, with mission briefings and a view of the battlefield.
You control armed forces in combat during World War II from your tent, and there’s a mixture of strategic thinking and actual learning about historical events. The game includes news clippings, photos, and documents from the period, and it emphasizes the gravity of the decisions you make, which can cost lives. After battles, you receive casualty reports and write letters to the families of those lost, adding a compelling layer to the gameplay.
One of the unique aspects of this game is that you command units using your microphone and voice. You send out radio signals and receive reports from your units in the field, which you then use to update your map and navigate the battle.
Let me show you their trailer. You’ll see briefings, planning, and actions happening on the map. There’s some animation, and you’re actively moving pieces and issuing commands based on what you hear from your units.
For students who get really into this, there’s a map editor that allows them to create their own maps and have battles on them, which can tie into what you might be studying in class.
One of the biggest challenges with this game is that it can be chaotic and frustrating, as it’s designed to make you feel like you don’t have full control. However, there’s an accessibility option for those who may not have full use of their voice, allowing control through traditional mouse and keyboard methods. The game also supports multiple languages, which is great to see.
So that’s Radio General! I hope that makes sense. We’re going a little outside of what we normally discuss, but I think this might intrigue some people in the audience.
Yes, this is something we’ve been talking about—learning experiences that aren’t necessarily what you might expect, but there’s so much to work with. It does require a bit more effort from educators to develop materials, but it’s definitely worth it.
Alright, well, Radio General! I guess we should say over and out.
[Laughter] I will command you with my voice at this time to visit us at Common Sense Education. Come see us, subscribe, like, tell your friends, and over and out!
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This version removes informal language and maintains a professional tone while preserving the main ideas.
Game – A structured form of play, often used as a tool for learning or teaching historical events. – In history class, we played a game that helped us understand the events leading up to the American Revolution.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Our history teacher explained how the ancient Egyptians built the pyramids.
Strategy – A plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim, often used in historical battles. – The general’s strategy during the battle was studied in our history lesson today.
World War II – A global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world’s nations. – We learned about the causes and effects of World War II in our history class.
Learning – The acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching. – Learning about ancient civilizations helps us understand how modern societies developed.
Soldiers – Individuals who serve in an army and are trained to fight in wars. – The soldiers’ bravery during the Civil War was a key topic in our history lesson.
Challenges – Difficult tasks or problems that require effort and determination to overcome, often faced in historical events. – The explorers faced many challenges when they set out to discover new lands.
Troops – Groups of soldiers, especially when organized for military action. – The history book described how the troops were deployed during the battle.
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university. – Education in ancient Greece included learning about philosophy and the arts.
Maps – Visual representations of an area, showing physical features, political boundaries, and other important details. – We used maps to trace the routes taken by explorers during the Age of Discovery.
