We believe in the power of simulations.
Simulations provide students with the opportunity to learn and apply skills that contribute to global competency and career preparedness in the 21st Century. They offer a safe environment for students to practice different strategies related to negotiation, persuasion, and influence. Through ICONS simulations, students develop aptitude in the cognitive, intrapersonal, and interpersonal areas critical to their future career success.*
Cognitive Skills
Critical Thinking
Students must understand and integrate multiple perspectives to gain support for proposed solutions.
Knowledge Retention
Learning by doing helps students to grasp the applications and implications of theoretical concepts in a "real world" context.
Reasoning & Analysis
The communication method allows students to reflect on how their words and strategies influenced the outcome of the simulation.
Intrapersonal Skills
Initiative
The need to perform, along with the desire to "win," encourages students to drive the negotiation forward.
Adaptability
Students receive immediate feedback on the success, or failure, of their negotiation strategies, forcing them to adjust their approach.
Diversity & Empathy
Stepping into the shoes of a foreign entity and negotiating with opposing parties forces students to wrestle with competing perspectives.
Interpersonal Skills
Collaboration
Students learn to rely upon each other in the process of research, communication, and negotiation.
Leadership & Agency
As participants propose solutions and learn about processes leading to change, their involvement and ownership increases.
Conflict Resolution
Simulations provide a safe learning lab environment for students to resolve internal conflicts, disagreements, and communication problems.
To review additional information about how simulations have contributed to positive learning outcomes (particularly in the application of ICONS' simulations), please visit our Simulation Research page. If you're ready to integrate a simulation into your classroom, learn how to get started!
* The three domains listed — cognitive, interpersonal, and intrapersonal — were identified by The National Research Council as being the key arenas for skill development in the 21st Century. To read their report, "Education for Life and Work: Developing Transferable Knowledge and Skills in the 21st Century," please visit their website.