In public-speaking courses, the use of games--a specific type of simulation--can help to overcome three of the most basic problems faced by the teacher: the gap between the study of theory and the application of that theory, the limited experience gained by students confined to speaking situations within classroom walls, and student stage fright.…

This paper summarizes and evaluates published research examining the use of simulation games in educational settings. Findings regarding the effects of simulation games on interest, attitudes, feeling of efficacy, knowledge, and intellectual skills are reviewed. Research shows that interest is usually aroused by the games themselves, but not…

This book provides approximately 150 games for children in kindergarten through grade six. The games are arranged according to level of difficulty, with examples and illustrations, and are listed under eight major skills: phonetic analysis, structural analysis, word meaning and comprehension, organization, critical and creative thinking,…

Simulation games are classed in this guide by subject area: business, domestic politics, economics, ecology, education, geography, history, international relations, psychology, skill development, sociology, social studies, and urban affairs. A summary description (of roles, objectives, decisions, and purposes), cost producer, playing data (age…

Sample forms are presented for interview information obtained from teachers, administrators, students, guidance counselors, and dormitory staff personnel in Bureau of Indian Affairs schools, from parents of Indian students, and from community leaders. A classroom observation guide and checklists for dormitory and school facilities, curriculum and…

The major portion of this document is devoted to an explanation for language arts teachers of ways to construct classroom games which can increase students' language and reading skills. Also included are suggestions and recommendations for designing and using different types of learning centers, for setting them up, for selecting the right type of…

A broad overview of the educational applications of simulation games is provided. The first section of the book offers an introduction to the major concepts of such games and develops the idea that it is relatively easy for individuals to design and use their own simulation games. The remainder of the book serves as a teacher's guide for…

The use of simulation games in the classroom has greatly increased over the past decade. However, little attention has been given to the need for a set of programs -- an instructional model -- that will enable teachers to use these games in a consistent and effective manner. This paper describes such an instructional model and provides a classroom…

Project Change was a curriculum development and teacher training effort to improve the quality of education in 13 North Carolina public school systems. The project was carried out by a corps of resource teachers. Their responsibilities included: (1) the development of curricular materials in the language arts-social studies area; (2) the…

Psysiological and behavioral indices of emotional arousal and mood during performance in a simulation game were investigated. The hypotheses tested were: (1) there will be attitude change following participation in the social simulation game, Ghetto; (2) this change in attitude will be related to the players' emotional involvement in the game as…

Learning systems or creativity games are innovative strategies for teaching a variety of subjects with maximum rewards for teachers and students alike. By definition, learning systems are in opposition to the conventional teaching formula. They are productivity rather than procedurally oriented, and they rely on discovery rather than reception…

Students learned to plan and write complex computer programs by writing a program for playing NIM, a game in which two players alternatively remove one, two, or three sticks from an original pile of 21, with the player taking the last one being the winner. The primary teaching purpose was to develop the idea that a final goal--i.e., winning--could…

One of the most promising devices available to the modern instructor is based upon a simple premise--find out what children like to do and turn it into an educational experience. This premise has resulted in the development of many educational games and toys for younger children. As students grow older, games are used less; yet children and adults…

A questionnaire was designed to aid the interested professional in describing, characteristics and analyzing his game, model, or simulation, and tested on a number of Department of Defense (DOD) games. An over-riding goal for the questionnaire was to produce a categorization scheme for games in general. The different sections of the questionnaire…

THIS WAS A PILOT PROJECT DESIGNED TO DEVELOP A MODIFIED VERSION OF THE "LIFE CAREER GAME" DEVELOPED FOR HIGH SCHOOL USE AND EXPLORE ITS POTENTIAL USE AT THE SIXTH-GRADE LEVEL. THE PROJECT WAS DIVIDED INTO A DEVELOPMENTAL PHASE AND A RESEARCH PHASE. IN THE DEVELOPMENTAL PHASE THE "LIFE CAREER GAME" DEVELOPED BY MRS. SARANE…