Florida Virtual School (FLVS) is set to launch what it describes as the first complete online game-based course for high school students. School officials and the game's creators hope the course will help engage students who struggle in traditional classroom settings.

The game is called Conspiracy Code, and it's the first in a series of online game-based courses created by 360Ed Inc., an educational game development company, and FLVS. The first Conspiracy Code course fulfills a full credit of history and is aligned with state and national standards.

The project began in 2005 when Ben Noel, chief executive of 360Ed, met Julie Young, president and CEO of FLVS. Noel had been working with the University of Central Florida to get more involved with education, and FLVS had been looking at gaming and its potential as a learning tool for a few years.

"We're always asking, ‘What's next?'" said Andy Ross, vice president of global service for FLVS, in an interview with eSchool News. "We've always been thought leaders, and with Ben's help, we knew we could create something great for students."

Although FLVS had never implemented gaming into its curriculum before, Ross said school leaders recognized that "there are many different types of learners, not just one. And for those students who are not traditional classrooms learners, perhaps this could help."

Noel, his development team, and FLVS decided to form a partnership, each funding the research and development needed to create a successful educational program. 360Ed would create the game, but FLVS assigned a curriculum specialist and other personnel to guide the company in creating a game that teachers, students, and state education officials would approve of.

"Altogether, it was a 14-month development process and a four-month beta process cycle," said Noel.

In this first course, students adopt the roles of fictional characters in an espionage-themed adventure game set in the fictional metropolis of Coverton City. In the 3D game, students must build their knowledge and understanding of American history to stop a vast conspiracy that is threatening to erase and change the course of history.

"We decided to create our first game around American history, because when looking at the state standards in other subjects like math and science, we realized that the humanities are more liberal in structure and more flexible in the curriculum," said Noel.

"Plus," said Ross, "we wanted to base this on one of our most popular courses, and American History at FLVS is in the top 10."

The game is built on a foundation of challenges and missions that allow students to learn progressively, says the company. Based on each student's understanding of content and the use of clues, students self-select their path and pace through the course.

As they follow a sequential learning path, they master complex ideas before moving on to the next level, or mission.