Resources

1. Wedig, Timothy. "Getting the Most from Classroom Simulations: Strategies for Maximizing Learning Outcomes." PS: Political Science & Politics 43.3 (2010): pp. 547-555. American Political Science Association.

An excellent resource for instructors new to simulations! This article contains helpful ideas for how to situate a simulation within a course. It presents a useful framework for the decision-making process involved in effective facilitation of the preparation, negotiation, and debriefing phases of a simulation. (NOTE: The title links to an abstract only; Full text is available with a journal subscription)

2. Garcia-Carbonell, Amparo and Frances Watts. "The Effectiveness of Telematic Simulation in Languages for Specific Purposes." Linguistic and Didactic Aspects of Language in Business Communication, Universität Hamburg, September 2010. Ed. T. Bungarten. Hamburg: Universität Hamburg. CD-ROM.

This research examines the effectiveness of using online simulations as a teaching tool in English as a Foreign Language courses. After participation in an ICONS International System simulation, the authors noted improvement in the oral comprehension, grammar competence, reading comprehension, and writing competence of students. They also compare this experimental group to a control group to note the difference in performance on these indicators. (NOTE: The title links to a PDF of a preprint of a paper whose final and definitive form has been published on a CD-ROM of the Linguistic and Didactic Aspects of Language in Business Communication conference proceedings)

3. Blum, Andrew and Audrey Scherer. "What Creates Engagement? An Analysis of Student Participation in ICONS Simulations." APSA Teaching and Learning Conference. Charlotte, NC. 9-11 Feb. 2007. Conference Presentation.

Interested in learning more about how to get students engaged in simulations? This research aims to identify factors that contribute to higher levels of student engagement in ICONS online simulations. An analysis of the findings includes suggestions for instructors to consider as they structure simulations within their courses.

4. Lay, Celeste J. and Kathleen J. Smarick. "Simulating a Senate Office: The Impact on Student Knowledge and Attitudes." Journal of Political Science Education 2.2 (2006): pp. 131-146. Taylor and Francis Online.

Do you teach courses on the American Political System? This article describes the effectiveness of the ICONS U.S. Senate simulation as an instructional tool for such courses. The authors compare changes in political knowledge and attitudes between control and experimental groups within a university Introduction to American Politics course. (NOTE: The title links to a PDF of a preprint of an article whose final and definitive form has been published in the Journal of Political Science Education © 2006 copyright Taylor and Francis. The Journal of Political Science Education is available online here.)

5. Asal, Victor and Elizabeth L. Blake. "Creating Simulations for Political Science Education." Journal of Political Science Education 2.1 (2006): pp. 1-18. Taylor and Francis Online. < http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15512160500484119>

Do you wonder what goes into designing a political science role-play simulation? This article by ICONS staff presents a pedagogical framework for developing a social science simulation to meet specific educational goals. (NOTE: The title links to a PDF of a preprint of an article whose final and definitive form has been published in the Journal of Political Science Education © 2006 copyright Taylor and Francis. The Journal of Political Science Education is available online here.)

6. DeGarmo, Denise. "ICONS and 'Resistant Populations': Assessing the Impact of the International Communication and Negotiation Simulations Project on Student Learning at SIUE." APSA Teaching and Learning Conference. Renaissance Hotel, Washington, D.C. Feb. 2006. Conference Presentation.

How can instructors engage "resistant populations" in meaningful dialogue within International Relations courses? This paper presents a preliminary study of the effect participation in an ICONS simulation had on a resistant population's learning within an Introduction to International Relations course at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville.

7. Vernon, Vavrina. "An Old-Timer's Reflections on IP Simulations." APSA Teaching and Learning Conference. Renaissance Hotel, Washington, D.C. Feb. 2006. Conference Presentation.

First-hand advice from a professor who has participated in over fifteen ICONS International System simulations! The author shares insights into the evolution of the International System simulation over the years, as well as suggestions for how instructors can organize their students' participation in this online simulation exercise.