Simulation Game
Complex scenario with roles and consequences
At a Glance
Duration
40–60 min
Group Size
15–35 students
Space Setup
Flexible space for group stations
Materials
- Role cards with goals/resources
- Game currency or tokens
- Round tracker
Bloom's Taxonomy
SEL Competencies
What is Simulation Game?
Simulation games are immersive instructional strategies that place students in dynamic, rule-governed environments representing real-world systems to foster deep conceptual understanding and decision-making skills. By requiring learners to navigate complex scenarios and experience the immediate consequences of their choices, simulations bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. This methodology works because it leverages experiential learning theory, promoting high cognitive engagement and long-term retention through active participation rather than passive reception. Beyond content mastery, simulation games cultivate essential 21st-century competencies such as critical thinking, collaboration, and systemic reasoning. Teachers act as facilitators, guiding students through a structured cycle of preparation, enactment, and debriefing. This iterative process allows students to test hypotheses in a safe, controlled environment, making it particularly effective for subjects involving social systems, scientific processes, or economic models. The competitive or collaborative elements inherent in gaming mechanics further boost student motivation and emotional investment in the learning outcome, ensuring that the educational experience is both rigorous and memorable.
Ideal for
When to Use It
Grade Bands
Subject Fit
How to Run a Simulation Game
Define Learning Objectives
Identify the specific concepts or systemic relationships you want students to master through the simulation.
Select or Design the Simulation
Choose a pre-existing digital or analog simulation, or create a set of rules and roles that accurately reflect the real-world system being studied.
Assign Roles and Rules
Distribute clear descriptions of student roles, resource constraints, and the winning conditions or goals of the simulation.
Conduct a Practice Round
Run a brief, low-stakes trial to ensure all students understand the mechanics and interface before the actual simulation begins.
Facilitate the Enactment
Observe the simulation in progress, intervening only to clarify rules or manage logistics while allowing students to navigate the challenges independently.
Lead a Structured Debrief
Guide a whole-class discussion where students reflect on their choices, the outcomes, and how the simulation mirrors real-world theories.
Assess Through Reflection
Assign a post-simulation task, such as a journal entry or analytical essay, to evaluate the student's ability to synthesize the experience with academic content.
Research Evidence
Vlachopoulos, D., Makri, A.
2017 · International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 14(22), 1-33
The study found that simulations significantly improve learning outcomes when they are aligned with specific learning objectives and include structured debriefing sessions.
Chernikova, O., Heitzmann, N., et al.
2020 · Review of Educational Research, 90(4), 499–541
This meta-analysis demonstrates that simulation-based learning is highly effective for promoting complex skills, particularly when scaffolding and teacher support are provided during the simulation.
Topics That Work Well With Simulation Game
Browse curriculum topics where Simulation Game is a suggested active learning strategy.
DNA Structure and Protein Synthesis
5th Year · The Living World: Senior Cycle Biology
Natural Selection and Evolution
5th Year · The Living World: Senior Cycle Biology
The Nervous and Endocrine Systems
5th Year · The Living World: Senior Cycle Biology
Population Ecology
5th Year · The Living World: Senior Cycle Biology
Natural Selection
6th Year · The Living World: Foundations of Biology
The Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles
6th Year · The Living World: Foundations of Biology
The Immune System
6th Year · The Living World: Foundations of Biology
Radioactivity and Isotopes
5th Year · Foundations of Matter and Chemical Change
Gas Laws and Molar Volume
5th Year · Foundations of Matter and Chemical Change
Frequently Asked Questions
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