If we intend to teach through educational media, we also have to teach about those media. This article explores the implications of this perspective for the use of computer games in the classroom. It seeks to explain why and how teachers might teach about computer games as a medium in their own right, just as they teach about film or television or…

Simulation games are discussed as innovative educational techniques for social studies teachers. Theories of simulation and selecting, creating, and implementing simulation games are among topics discussed. (JN)

The article compares the relative effectiveness of teaching environmental education to high school students using conventional instruction, a simulation exercise, and a simulation game. (CD)

The author discusses some disadvantages to simulation and gaming techniques. Instead he advocates and examines the educational advantages of student participation in real world field research. Included in the article is an example of a student attempting to live on the amount a person on welfare would receive. Further ideas for student field…

The author suggests methods for teaching game theory at an introductory level, using interactive games to be played in the classroom or in computer clusters, clips from movies to be screened and discussed, and excerpts from novels and historical books to be read and discussed.

Values of games as teaching strategies are outlined. In the simulation described in this paper students assume certain roles, analyze information, and make decisions. This is an example of how gaming might be used in a problem solving situation in a high school or college classroom. (SM)

Game theory is appropriate as a topic for an honors seminar for high school students. Matrices provide a model for analyzing certain situations involving conflict, and probability theory can be used to determine the best strategies for the players. Variations on the ancient game of morra are discussed. (MNS)

The research study measures changes in political attitudes of high school students after playing the game "Democracy." The primary purpose of the experiment was to determine if role identification and game structure are primarily responsible for the effects of the game upon the player's attitudes. The player takes the role of a congressman who…

This technical paper was written with undergraduate geography students and instructors in mind. Its primary objective is to introduce readers to the first of urban simulations and to provide materials for utilizing simulation models. Contents are interdisciplinary oriented and contain seven chapters showing how simulation techniques may be…

Designed to help teachers maximize outcomes from using any social simulation/game, these guidelines are one part of a project which attempts to provide analytical and critical information on the use of simulation/games in social studies classrooms. The general approach of the guidelines is applicable to any of the simulation type activities now…

This educational research was conducted to determine what affective and cognitive effects two different teaching methods have upon a group of 10th grade students learning about the Constitution of America. Both the experimental class, taught by the simulation-game method, and the control group, taught by the lecture discussion method, were…