Playing the Argonauts: Pedagogical Pathways through Creation and Engagement in a Virtual Sea

• Type of Material: Book Chapter
• Authors: Sandra Blakely, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2020
• Publisher: Emory University Libraries
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: 2020. The Digital Press at the University of North Dakota
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): https://doi.org/10.31356/dpb016
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: DATAM: Digital Approaches to Teaching the Ancient Mediterranean
• Start Page: 97
• End Page: 126
• Place of Publication or Presentation: Grand Forks, ND
• Keywords: ritual; serious games; pedagogy; tradition; maritime; data generation; myth; 3-D game development
• Research Categories: History, Ancient; Education, Technology

Abstract

Day 3: Night falls around your ship, a dark sky illuminated by multiple constellations above the outline of the Aegean coast. Passing the headland of Tisaia, you watch for the crags of Pelion to guide your way: you are heading northwest to the Tomb of Dolops. Suddenly one crewmember falls ill, then another – the ship’s water has gone foul, and you lose five men before you can get to port. Are your funds sufficient to hire their replacements? Day 7: Your crew suddenly feels uneasy, so you drop anchor, though there are no pirates or storms in sight. After prayers to Poseidon for your good fortune, a group of dolphins jump about the ship, playing for a moment before disappearing. Your crew takes it as a good sign and their spirits are lifted. As they begin to raise anchor, you notice the ship feels a bit faster than before. The waters seem to push you forward: this is both fortunate and suspicious!