Games for Change
1. Go to this link and play the game!
Find out how YOU can make or change public policy as an individual. (You will need Adobe Flash drive activated. You don't need to register to play the free game; just click "No thanks".) --> https://www.icivics.org/games/activate When you are finished, share the steps or activities you did in the game to make a change (or policy) in your community!
3. In step 2 you made a policy to address a problem on the list. Do you think everyone in the public will agree on your policy? Many times making public policy is difficult because some group will not be pleased with the decision. You can't please everybody! Why don't/can't all public policy makers just agree on the same policy?** ** Values inform & make backbone of public policy. We all define and prioritize values differently. Understanding this helps us understand each other and collaborate effectively in forming public policy. Do this -->
Rewrite these terms in order of their value to you. (Option: You can write each word on an index card or post it note and move around) Put the most valued concept on the top and least valued concept on the bottom. If 2 concepts have equal value to you, you can place them next to each other in the same row.
Record/discuss/ share with a friend or family member- 1. Why did you put the top one on top, & the bottom one on bottom? What values did you rank the same as another? 2. How do your rankings differ from another person's rankings? Differences can lead to different policy if you were to discuss some of the debatable problems listed in step 2 of this station. 3. Did your definitions of each card differ? In other words, is your definition of freedom in your mind different from the other person? This can cause differences in policy decisions as well. 4. How are your rankings similar to another persons? (You do have something in common from which to build a policy from! ) 5. Is there a new card not provided with a new value you’d like to add? 6. Would you order the cards differently depending on date or event (For example- before 9/11/2001 and after 9/11/2001) Now think about/ discuss this- - Choose a problem from the step 2 list again. - Use these cards to guess what 3 top value cards would be for each side of the policy for the problem. For example, what top 3 value cards do you think someone for making September 11 a national holiday would be versus the top 3 value cards for someone who does not want to make it a national holiday? Now try with a different problem. Can they find any common ground? Do you think the participants’ definitions of these values the same? |
2. Public Policy Problems- Do this--> Pick 1 or 2 problems listed below and brainstorm: What public policy would YOU personally create to solve the problem? (Would it be a law, regulation, funds/money, an incentive, or a new program ...?) Share your policy idea with someone. Do they agree with your policy?
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