Teaching Through Simulations
Orson Scott Card once said "Educational games should be more like the school corridors, where kids experiment, interact, create, and share what they create with others (Squire & Jenkins, 2003)." One way to make these experiences more authentic is by having children do simulations. A simulation is an operating imitation of a real process. These imitations can be performed to relate to different curriculum, depending on the outcome desired by the educator. "Simulation is a natural activity that most young children engage in on a daily basis as they pretend and role-play. As they simulate interactions with other people, animals, and objects, the children build an understanding of the world around them (Sisk, 2009)."
Doing simulations in the classroom provides opportunities for the following:
Why are simulation games important and fundamental for gifted students? Simulation games create an environment where gifted students learn because they see a reason to learn. Also, simulation games create a competitive nature among gifted students, which encourages them to win. In order for them to win, they must engage in higher level thinking and use problem solving skills. These are all skills that are beneficial to the success of gifted students.
Examples of simulation games that can be incorporated into the classroom:
Have you used any simulation games in your classroom that have benefited the education of your students? Leave a comment in the guestbook!
Doing simulations in the classroom provides opportunities for the following:
- Critical thinking
- Questioning of assumptions
- Integrating higher order thinking
- Building personal responsibilities
- Understanding the role of chance
- Enhancing knowledge and skills
- Understanding social systems
- Leadership skills
- Independence in action and thought
- Group dynamics
Why are simulation games important and fundamental for gifted students? Simulation games create an environment where gifted students learn because they see a reason to learn. Also, simulation games create a competitive nature among gifted students, which encourages them to win. In order for them to win, they must engage in higher level thinking and use problem solving skills. These are all skills that are beneficial to the success of gifted students.
Examples of simulation games that can be incorporated into the classroom:
- Bafá Bafá
- Barnga
- Infotactics
- Land of the Sphinx and Land of the Rainbow
- Parlé
- Tag Game
Have you used any simulation games in your classroom that have benefited the education of your students? Leave a comment in the guestbook!
References:
Sisk, D. (2009). Teaching Through Simulation and Gaming for the Gifted. In Bean, S. (PhD) & Karnes, F. (PhD), Methods and Materials for Teaching the Gifted. Waco, TX: Prufrock Press Inc.
Sisk, D. (2009). Teaching Through Simulation and Gaming for the Gifted. In Bean, S. (PhD) & Karnes, F. (PhD), Methods and Materials for Teaching the Gifted. Waco, TX: Prufrock Press Inc.