The Road to Oregon:
The History Behind the Trail
What DID students learn from the Oregon Trail? |
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"The Oregon Trail game gives you a basic idea of its history. The Game makes you think about the settlers going out to find land and raise their families. It is also a good game because it is fun. It’s purpose was to teach people about the trail in a fun way."
-Andrea, Freshman
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Does the Oregon Trail Game do a good job of presenting the history of the trail or does it sanitize historically significant events for marketing purposes? Students like Andrea recall broad themes of the Trail, but commented that the classroom discussion never went beyond the most basic understanding of American pioneer life and search for new land. The elementary school-aged target audience limits the scope of historical analysis to a basic level in order to balance the game's purpose to serves as an educational and entertaining tool. The students interviewed at the College of William and Mary were quick to recall how fun it was to shoot buffalo and ford the river, but were mainly unaware of the historical significances of the Oregon Trail and it affects on American history today.
A Good History Lesson or Damaging Misconceptions?
The creators of the Oregon Trail Game emphasized the need for historically accurate representations of history. They also believed that the interactive game format would teach children more effectively because of its entertaining components. However, the potential to diminish or oversimplify the complexity of the Trail became clear in many of the interviews conducted. Many students were did not think that the Game taught a good enough history lesson. The historical discussions of the Oregon Trail in the CD-Rom game are limited, sanitized and under-explored in order to preserves its edutainment purposes. Yet, the game has influenced how Americans remember the history of the Trail. So what was important then, and now? How well do you know the history of the trail?
Take a quick Oregon Trail Knowledge Quiz to find out!
Photos contributed by Cosmo Fujiyama
