ICONS User Manual: Overview

Rationale for the Approach

Introduction
Rationale for the Approach
How ICONS Works
Role of the Facilitator
Connecting to ICONS

The simulation mode of instruction has proven to be an excellent vehicle for immersing students into the world of foreign affairs. Cast in the roles of national decision-makers, they must deal with foreign policy issues in a constantly changing environment. As negotiations proceed and other teams reject or modify initial bargaining strategies, students are continually forced to reassess their country’s position, using new information introduced as the simulated world unfolds.

ICONS is based on the notion that students need to develop greater awareness of alternative policy options and the linkages among issues confronting nations. Moreover, as their perspectives expand so does their understanding of, and appreciation for, cultural differences and national approaches to problem-solving. It is this widening of vision, the deepening of insight, and the refinement of skills that students claim are the most valuable lessons of the simulation.

The ICONS simulation exercises create a worldwide laboratory in which a personal computer becomes an educational tool to link students in classrooms around the world. The accessibility of computer terminal and the "friendliness" of the whole process make participation in the simulation exercise enjoyable, instructive, and cost effective.

A recent evaluation of ICONS reported that the simulation experience is an overwhelmingly successful one. Participating students report that their understanding of the complexity of international issues increased at the same time that their perception of the world as being divided into "we" and "they" decreased. They also reported an increased sensitivity to cultural and linguistic differences and a greater understanding of the different perspectives that nations bring to negotiating situations.

While most teams cannot claim to have "solved" a global crisis by the end of the simulation, they come away with a clearer understanding of the countries they represent. In addition, they agree uniformly that their participation has made them more aware of the many pitfalls and difficulties of achieving global harmony.

A bibliography of publications on the ICONS Project and its precursors appears in the Appendix.

Overview | Simulation Methodology | Structure of an ICONS Simulation | Implementation Issues | Appendix | Back to ICONS