'Ar y Stryd' (On the Street) is an interactive learning resource for Personal and Social Education aimed at 11-14 year olds, Key Stage 3.
The resource consists of five areas, which encourage users to learn about becoming responsible citizens. Pupils have the opportunity to make important decisions that may affect their everyday lives, as well as a chance to resolve a number of dilemmas based on the following themes:
- Improving school life
- Youth justice
- Volunteering in an animal rescue centre
- Being responsible for a website for young people
- Campaigning to save a youth club
Issues such as consumer rights, human rights, the law, the youth justice system, democracy and local government are also explored.
How to play
The resource is set in a virtual town, with five of the buildings on the street each representing a specific theme. Click on a building to start the activity.
Each theme starts with an animated set-up scenario which outlines a specific problem which needs to be resolved. After watching a scenario set-up, the users are given the option to solve the problem in one of two ways:
- pragmatic
- confrontational
Once one of these options has been chosen, the users are then guided through the activities by the characters that appeared in the introductory animation.
The characters encourage the users to carry out research before embarking on the main activity by clicking on the Llyfr Nodiadau (Notebook) and Ymchwil (Research) buttons on the right hand side of the screen.
Completing research unlocks clues and additional resources within the main activity. The additional resources aid the users in resolving the dilemmas, therefore it is important to encourage them to do this preparatory work before attempting the main task. However, it is possible to complete the main activity without clicking on these buttons and carrying out research.
After completion of the pragmatic or confrontational options, a second animation is launched, which acts as a summary scenario. It provides positive feedback and serves as an introduction to the concluding activity.
On completion of this final task, the game returns to the homepage, where the users can either choose a new theme or return to the same theme and explore the alternative approach to resolving the dilemma.
Quick links
Each individual activity can be accessed as a standalone game via the Quick links tab on the Information pages.
Click here to go straight to the Quick links.
Themes
The content of each theme is noted below:
Improving school life
The new healthy food menu at school isn't as good as your mum's cooking! It's one of a few issues in school you'd like to have a say on. You decide to stand for election to the school council. You must decide your response to the issues in front of a panel, and advise on a mentoring project to prove your skills.
Youth justice
A good friend has been arrested on suspicion of spraying graffiti on a neighbour's door. Since he has a previous reprimand for graffiti he may face a sentence for the crime - but you're sure it wasn't him. Find out about the criminal justice system and help him with advice.
Volunteering in an animal rescue centre
Stray dogs have been terrorising the local community. The dogs are taken to the animal rescue centre, which is short of funds and staff. Experience volunteering and solve problems that arise at the youth club.
Being responsible for a website for young people
The editor of the local website keeps changing personal profiles in an attempt to protect young people's safety on the internet. The new profiles are making everyone sound boring. Negotiate with the editor and persuade him that young people are responsible enough to run the website themselves.
Campaigning to save a youth club
The old youth club is being converted into new flats. Negotiate with the councillor, Rhonwen Griffiths, so that she will consider getting a youth club included in the development. Get advice from members of the community on how to handle the negotiation.
