Attentiveness to and transparency about the methodological implications of the level of analysis selected for peace and conflict exercises constitute essential elements of good game design. The article explores the impact of level of analysis choices in the context of two key portions of exercises, scenario construction and role specification. It…

A brief history of the use of games and simulations as educational tools is followed by illustrations of academic games and an analysis of their effectiveness. (JD)

Discussion of the difference between an educational simulation and other interactive learning events highlights the effects terminology can have on both facilitators and participants. Five common mistakes made in running simulations are identified, and gaming terminology used in Britain and in the United States is discussed. (three references)…

This discussion of the use of games and simulations in instruction includes a number of examples of activities that can be used in the community college classroom. Section I assesses the value of games and simulations as an approach to learning; defines games, simulations, and non-simulation games; considers the advantages and disadvantages of the…

Discusses the current state of research in experiential learning and looks at its future as a training method for communication skills in business and education. (MH)

This paper considers techniques, games and simulations, to deal with the broad area of decision-making in a variety of problem situation. Since violence is a learned behavior, there are alternative ways to handle conflict situations. Simulation games have been utilized primarily in research. The purpose of this paper is to correct this imbalance,…

Among various possible pedagogical approaches which favor the integration of an environmental dimension into educational processes, gaming and simulation seem particularly suitable to environmental education. Environmental games and simulations reproduce in a simplified and didactical manner the complex nature of concrete environmental problems.…

The author explores the utility of educational games in elementary and secondary social studies classes. Separate sections of the paper discuss types of games, similarities among formal games and social studies topics, educational game design, and examples, advantages, and limitations of educational games. Game playing in society is described as…

This book provides a basic, interdisciplinary framework for thinking about human communication, and contains a collection of carefully selected and ordered experience-based learning activities designed to clarify the communication process. The 24 chapters cover aspects of communication in a number of disciplines, including anthropology, art,…

This study investigated the development and evaluation of a computer-augmented science learning game model, through the implementation of a specific game derived from the game model. Formative evaluation strategies were synthesized from two existing evaluation procedures and were tested and applied to the learning resource under development. As a…

Papers read by three German educationalists at a workshop on "Education between Quality and Equity" are included in this document. The first, by Han Leo Reimann, is entitled "Simulated Reality: The Instructional Objectives within the Framework of Pedagogical Paper Plays." This paper describes a gaming method of simulating…

Uses the various strategies involved in baseball to illustrate basic concepts in game theory. Specifically discusses Willie Mays' base-stealing strategy and how it relates to probability and risk. Reminds students that expected results depend on adopted assumptions. (MJP)

In an experiment conducted under classroom conditions with 8th grade students, the simulation game "Democracy" was shown to be effective at teaching that "log-rolling" is an acceptable part of the legislative process. Two aspects of the game--role identification and game structure--were shown to contribute independently to its effectiveness.…

The Middle East decision making game has been developed to provide college level political science students with some indication of the complexities of international political situations. The central issue examined in the game is the way in which perceptions of a conflict relate to foreign policy decision. The game is divided into two sections. In…

This paper describes a simulation game, "Hacienda," designed to replicate the economic and social realities of the peasants' situation in rural Ecuador. The game involves three to 15 players (and often more), one of whom, by a roll of the dice, takes the role of "hacendado," or hacienda owner, who gains title to all the…