An Inquiry Into Simulation Gaming In The Social Studies

Abstract

A relatively recent development in the Social Studies, simulation gaming, has generated a lot of interest among educators and has led to the development of educational games by several institutes and publishing firms. The National Council For The Social Studies held their 1967 conference at Seattle, Washington at which the most heavily attended meetings were those dealing with simulation games. The Hawaii Council Of Social Studies Teachers held their fifth annual conference on October 27 and 28, 1967 at the Hilton Dome for the purpose of introducing and demonstrating various aspects of simulation gaming to teachers. Simulation games utilize a technique developed by social scientists and attempt to duplicate a particular dynamic social process, ex. working national legislature, the free market process, decision-making, etc., within a theoretical model. With the model as a framework, simulation actively involves students in a decision-making role within a social system with feedback as to the consequences of their actions. Role playing is involved during some aspects of simulation gaming. During a simulation, the roles of both teacher and student are somewhat altered from that of the conventional roles they are called upon to play. Great motivation is usually displayed on the part of students who become very actively involved.