Designing and Evaluating Games and Simulations

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0749404787 ISBN 13: 9780749404789

Publisher: Kogan Page Ltd, 1992

This guide describes the design and evaluation of games and simulations for education and training purposes. It examines the role that academic games play in the learning process and considers the factors determining the choice of different types of simulations. Divided into five sections, it covers various educational games, including academic and computer games, tactical-decision simulations such as client and crisis management, social-interaction simulations and the importance of debriefing, and other interactive exercises such as role-play, microworlds and problem-solving. A model describing the major differences between games and simulations is also given.

From the Back Cover:

Although the use of games and simulations in training has been growing for more than 30 years, the field still lacks a comprehensive guide to their design and evaluation. This book fills that gap. Designing and Evaluating Games and Simulations provides a practical model to help trainers and teachers design games and simulations. It is based on an analysis of the role of academic games in the classroom and the different processes that propel different simulations. The author covers games for the educational setting, including computer and non-computer games; tactical decision-making simulations and the role of technology; social interaction simulations and debriefing. This book helps users to evaluate games and simulations and redesign flawed ones. The designer is provided with a variety of creative ideas for developing simulations for use in education and training. Throughout the book the author uses examples and case studies to illustrate her points. Designing and Evaluating Games and Simulations will be of interest to designers and users of games and simulations at all levels of education and training.