EU II used in teaching

[Susana]

For now, Seed agrees with Carl Creasman, a history professor at Valencia Community College, that more and more, students are already digesting history through simulation games, so professors ought to keep abreast of those games. Creasman doesn’t use Civlization, but he uses another historical video game called Europa Universalis II. That game focuses on the European empires from 1492 to 1792, and, Creasman said, has more historical details in that era than any other game. Creasman says that the games absolutely should be supplemented by an instructor, but says he has seen the game engage students in the kind of critical thinking that “monarchs had to do.” He recalls one student who was prompted to choose whether England should become Protestant or not. When Creasman circled the class and came back 15 minutes later, the student was still weighing the pros and cons. “I can’t decide, man,” Creasman says the student told him.

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2005/11/28/civ

 

[unmerged(45766)]

Well, do you know who Carl Creasman is ?

 

[unmerged(38752)]

Very interesting. EU2 is what re-ignited my interest for renaissance history and has motivated me to read more on the subject. Its really a good game.

 

[unmerged(32886)]

I totally agree. I learned alot for topography and history from this game; just gotta watch out for those events that never happened

 

[Duke of Wellington]

Well, do you know who Carl Creasman is ?

Nope, Could you enlighten me?

 

[unmerged(38752)]

I totally agree. I learned alot for topography and history from this game; just gotta watch out for those events that never happened

Yes, though it is quite handy that in-game the A-option is always the historical one.

 

[unmerged(45766)]

Prior to EU1 and EU2, I was more interested in the Ancient History and in WWII.

EU made me change my point of view, and I came to love Renaissance and the Late Middle Ages (15th century) much more, as well as the French Revolution & Napoleonic era.

 

[unmerged(15337)]

I believe the professor in question goes by carlec in the forums here. He has written quite a bit, both in the forum and in a professional journal, about his EU2 classroom experiments.

 

[unmerged(45766)]

I believe the professor in question goes by carlec in the forums here. He has written quite a bit, both in the forum and in a professional journal, about his EU2 classroom experiments.

That's him. I think we'll see him soon here.

 

[unmerged(19088)]

I'm studying history myself this year, and I must say that playing EU2 for 2-3 years has given me a good start.. I know the basics of the historical development of Europe, which is a must if you're going to have a decent grade..

EU2 is very nice.. both for fun and for learning..

 

[tyrel68]

I totally agree

Ever since I played EU2-Victoria-Hoi1/2, I have increased my geographic/historical development knowledge of World history to an amazing degree.

Why else would I know about the Timurids or the Seboy Rebellion or the Taiping Rebellion or that Iran is in fact Persia

 

[EvilSanta]

Paradox games have teached me a lot.Like in geography tests where you need to know where place is,I just think about HoI2 and "Ahh,the province is THERE" and I know the answer.Last week in a quiz I was the only 1 who knew that Californian peninsula belongs to Mexico and not USA.

 

[Jayavarman]

Ugh. The article talks too much about Civ3 rather than EU2!

 

[lordofthemark]

In terms of teaching me

Some, but limited so far. Largely cause I already know a fair amount of history (of the period) and geography. But also cause so far (ive had the game about 10 months) ive only played major countries. I did learn about Alvaro da Luna when playing Spain, but most of the later stuff i already knew. Didnt learn that much about England. Learned some stuff about France so far -like the guilds event. I didnt finish my game as OE, but that was more interesting, as i know less about OE. Also ive learned about the mideast region generally, esp the white sheep and black sheep turks, etc.

While playing as Spain i was inspired to read two books about Spain. Recently have been reading about OE. So its reinforced my general interests.

I expect when I get to playing Sweden to learn ALOT

Mainly it adds a layer to the history I already now, by allowing me to immerse myself in the decisions a leader would make.

Ive tried to use it to teach my daughter (shes 13) She enjoys reading the events, and learns from them, but the gameplay doesnt draw her. So occasionally I call her to look at an interesting event.

 

[the_genius]

Ugh. The article talks too much about Civ3 rather than EU2!

And it has the wrong start and end dates of EU2

All in all, is good... one of our fellow forum member is on a article and he's talkinga about how good is EU2 that's awesome...

 

[Carolus Rex]

I had a relatively small interest in history prior to EU2, but it didn't only increase my interest in history, but I learned a ton of geography by playing it as well. Truly one of the most educative games ever! Only a few weeks ago I learned that the Inca's landed in Spain in the 1540's, but were taken out by Ottoman peacekeepers allied with the Spaniards!

 

[BiB]

I had a relatively small interest in history prior to EU2, but it didn't only increase my interest in history, but I learned a ton of geography by playing it as well. Truly one of the most educative games ever! Only a few weeks ago I learned that the Inca's landed in Spain in the 1540's, but were taken out by Ottoman peacekeepers allied with the Spaniards!

You should pay more attention in class, it were the Zapotec that landed in Spain and it were Spanish rebels who took them out, while Ottoman peacekeepers were just standing by idly!

 

[Carolus Rex]

You should pay more attention in class, it were the Zapotec that landed in Spain and it were Spanish rebels who took them out, while Ottoman peacekeepers were just standing by idly!

That's what the MiB's want you to believe!


OK, I may be wrong about the Inca's.





And the Peacekeepers.



Yes I will pay attention.




o

 

[Duke of Wellington]

Certainly one learns a lot about renaissance europe but sometimes its too much. When I look at a map of Europe now I have to remind myself thats Estonia not Livonian Order. EU2 is great though for education. It teaches plenty while also encouraging one to read deeper on other subjects. Without it I'd have know idea how complex the origins of the 30 years war were or how interesting the Teutonic Orders history is.

 

[wilcoxchar]

I must say that EU2-Victoria has taught me a lot about history. Such as, before I got the games I did not know how/when Britain gained Hong Kong or that Portugal ever owned Macao...or where Macao was. Sadly, in my world history class, we aren't at the EU2 era yet (I'm in 10th grade) and I'm taking AP World History so we're covering mainly the bigger themes of the time. But EU2 is sure to help me a lot in this area as well, such as the formation of the nation-state and the transition from decentralized feudalism to the aforementioned nation-state. It also has kindled my interest in European history during the 1500s, 1600s, and 1800s. Overall, EU2 and Vicky are some of the most entertaining and educational video/computer games I have seen.