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Scoop.it!
Sure, games can teach gravity or supply and demand, but can they show us how to build a good argument? The following five games do just that by modeling the work of argumentation. 
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Scoop.it!
From
fold
Foldit is a revolutionary new computer game enabling you to contribute to important scientific research. This page describes the science behind Foldit and how your playing can help.
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Scoop.it!
Scientists are using video games to tap the collective intelligence of people around the world, while doctors and educators are turning to games to treat and teach.
Beth Dichter's insight:
This is an in-depth article that looks at gaming from three perspectives. One part covers playing games in the realm of science, and discusses how using the cloud to solve problems has gained credence (specifically discussing Foldit). The second portion discusses learning with games. In this section the author notes that "games help students engage in scientific concepts through immersive experiential learning, which often commands greater focus and provides greater rewards for success. For example, Steinkuehler’s research showed that students identified as troubled or struggling readers demonstrated dramatically improved reading skills while playing games, able to comprehend higher reading levels." It also makes note of a game that is being designed by MIT for release in later 2013 called Radix Endeavor (a mulit-player game for STEM learning in high school). The third section discusses "a spoonful of learning" as in how games are now used in medicine. It turns out that games are used in medicine in a variety of areas from helping "stroke victims regain balance" to building universally acceptable maps—using audio and other sensory cues, like the sounds of running water near rivers" to games to help with weight control (not only good for overweight children but also for individuals on the autism spectrum). There is a wealth of information in this piece and it is worth reading.
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This post discusses five games that help student develop critical thinking skills and to build good arguments. The games are:
* Quandary - This game has you develop a colony in outer space. Students need to help settle disputes and solve problems.
* Citizen Science - Another game that requires you to use persuasive skills to help solve problems but these problems are related to science.
* Argument Wars -This game is part of iCivics. Students "use their persuasive abilities by arguing a real Supreme Court case". This site provides resources including lesson plans and worksheets as well as a teacher's guide.
* The Republia Times - A game that typically takes 10 minutes or so, the student becomes the editor of a paper and has to curate the front page.
* Papers, Please - In this game the student is an immigration officer in a ficticious country and must make decisions based on evidential arguments presented.
More information on each game is available in the post as well as links to each.