The "Duty, Valour, Sacrifice" simulation was not designed to be a game. No score is kept. The only rewards are occasional promotions and continued survival. The purpose of the simulation is to allow students to learn about and to appreciate what our soldiers, sailors, airmen experienced in the war. My hope was that the simulation format would make learning about the war more engaging without devolving into entertainment.
DVSWW2 allows students to select which service they wish to join - the Canadian Army, the RCN and the RCAF. The simulation section for each service is designed to be covered in two to three 75 minute classes, even allowing time for the students to puzzle out challenges and read the information notes and letters home. As a suggestion, students might be paired up, to allow more students access if computers are limited. One third of the class might be assigned to each service - army, navy, air force - to allow students to compare experiences. Students are also free to access the simulations outside of class time.
Historical Accuracy
I have tried to make the simulation as authentic as possible. The research was extremely extensive, extending through five years. The chronology, description of major events and battles and all letters, memoirs and diary entries are all authentic. The tests and challenges are all based on information and situations from the time period - often borrowed from people's memoirs or biographies. Over 95% of the images are also authentic, sometimes with a little graphic editing for clarity.
Classroom activities and assignments
Historical Thinking - Applying the "Big Six" Historical Thinking Concepts
Curriculum Strands and Threads
Memory Research and Learning History
