Mission US Interactive Historical Missions
General information
Organisation / School
Education media project developed by WNET/Channel Thirteen in collaboration with historians and educators. Used by more than five million students in the U.S.
Duration
Varies by mission; each interactive narrative experience can be played over multiple sessions
Target group (age range)
Primarily middle-school learners (approximately Grades 5–8)
Group format
Individual gameplay with whole-class or small-group discussion and activities guided by teacher materials.
Context of the Practice
Digital, classroom and blended learning tool used to support history instruction; includes missions with educator guides, activities, and discussion materials.
Description of the Practice
Mission US is an award-winning educational media initiative that uses interactive narrative missions to immerse students in key periods of U.S. history. Each mission places learners in the role of a young person experiencing key historical moments. Players explore rich historical settings, encounter primary source material, and make meaningful choices that reveal how ordinary people lived, struggled, and shaped history. Unlike traditional textbooks, missions do not involve winning or losing; they focus on engagement, perspective-taking, and critical reflection. The accompanying educator guides include lesson plans, discussion prompts, contextual background, and classroom activities that help teachers connect the interactive experience with broader historical themes. Mission US encourages students to think critically about evidence, consider multiple perspectives, and discuss complex and sensitive topics
Link with Uchronia or Alternative Narratives
Does the practice involve rewriting history, alternative scenarios, role play, or speculative narratives?
Yes
Explanation:
Yes, students role-play as historical peers and make decisions that shape their experience within the historical scenario. The interactive narratives allow learners to explore multiple perspectives and consequences of decisions. However, these a0.
Social and Transversal Skills Developed
What are the skills developped?
- Empathy
- Communication
- Cooperation
- Critical thinking
- Media literacy
- Creativity
Explanation:
Empathy: Developed by seeing events from the viewpoint of young historical characters.
Communication: Built through classroom discussion, reflection, and guided activities.
Cooperation: Not really in the gameplay, but mostly when there are group activities with the teacher.
Critical thinking: Encouraged by evaluating evidence, weighing decisions, and interpreting outcomes.
Media literacy: Strengthened through interaction with narrative media and contextual historical materials.
Creativity: Developed as students interpret experiences and reflect through writing and discussion.
Inclusion and Accessibility
Targeted learners (learning difficulties, diversity, disengagement):
Mission US is designed primarily for middle-school learners and is accessible in both classroom and independent use.
Accessibility measures used:
The website notes that materials include vocabulary supports and background contextual information, making them suitable for diverse learners, including those who struggle with traditional textbook learning.
Impact and Outcomes
Observed impact on pupils:
Research presented by Mission US shows that students who use the interactive missions make clear progress in historical knowledge and skills. Studies found that learners improved in understanding key historical concepts, analysing primary sources, and thinking critically about evidence. For example, in one study on the Great Depression mission, students showed greater knowledge gains compared to those using traditional classroom materials. Research on the TimeSnap VR experience also found improvements in students’ understanding of causation and perspective, as well as stronger document-analysis skills.
Feedback from teachers or pupils:
Teachers report that students are highly engaged and more motivated to learn history through the interactive format. Many educators note richer classroom discussions and stronger emotional connections to historical topics. Students often say they feel more involved in history and show increased interest in the subject. Overall, feedback highlights both improved learning outcomes and high levels of engagement.
Transferability
Can the practice be reused or adapted?
Yes
Conditions for replication:
Yes, the interactive narrative approach used in Mission US can be adapted to history education in other regions, including Europe. To do this, the stories and activities should be based on local or national historical events and linked to the school curriculum.
For successful use, schools need access to digital devices and the internet, as the activities are online. It is also important to prepare suitable learning materials, such as primary and secondary historical sources that are adapted to the students’ level. Teachers should also receive guidance or training to help them lead discussions and reflection activities in the classroom.
Nonetheless, creating such a game in a different region (like Europe) would require important digital skills and time in order to fully document history from different perspectives.
Relevance for Reframe the Story
Mission US aligns with the goals of Reframe the Story because it promotes historical empathy, perspective-taking, critical engagement with evidence, and an understanding that history is complex and experienced differently by diverse people. All these elements are central to rethinking and reframing how history is learned and told.
It serves as a strong reference for our work, as it was developed through the contribution of multiple experts and stakeholders, reflecting a high level of professional and methodological quality. It also demonstrates how multiple perspectives on historical events can be explored in a structured and academically grounded way.