Building Homes of Our Own 2.0
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has introduced new version of its interactive game to challenge middle school students. With a learning focus on the process of building a home for sale, Building Homes of Our Own 2.0 is a simulation presented on CD-ROM that creates a unique teaching environment - capturing the key steps of real-life home building: financing, site selection, house construction, and the sale to a suitable buyer.
An amazingly flexible teaching tool, Building Homes of our Own 2.0 can be customized by teachers for thematic instruction, interdisciplinary teaching, and cooperative learning. Utilizing a familiar, real-world activity of building a home, students learn math, science, English, economics, civics, money management skills, and teamwork. Students easily navigate the game-style environment with buttons and user-friendly icons to guide the process - making it fun for both students and teachers alike.
The designers of the curriculum have incorporated the essential elements required to make interactive games rewarding educational vehicles. Students can go through the process many times playing different scenarios and solving a variety of problems while honing their decision-making skills. A navigation bar, called the WorkSpace Bar, provides research calculating and planning tools including computer-assisted budget management forms, 3D experts, community members to hear about local issues, a library and a lab to view 3D animated demonstrations. There are audio cues, sound effects, video clips, and music to ensure a heightened interest.
Students are introduced to zoning codes and regulations and permitting. There are eleven lots to choose from with each lot having its own inherent challenges that must be addressed. They must attend community meetings to learn about local issues. Six animated experts present information about their role in the home building process: civil engineer, the architect/land planner, soil scientist, structural engineer, archaeologist, and the environmental consultant.
There are lesson extensions, exploration of innovative housing solutions (Smart Growth and Green Building), and lots of opportunities to invite local experts to enhance the game with real-time information and present real-world examples. Students can follow their progress and be rewarded for achieving a high score at the end of the game.
A 196-page, comprehensive Teacher's Guide covers how to use the game, teaching strategies, lesson starters by subject areas, sample lessons, content standards alignment, assessment, resources, background information, and student worksheets.
Building Homes of Our Own is produced in partnership with the National Housing Endowment, Freddie Mac and the Fannie Mae Foundation.
