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never look at politics in the same way again.” Not
content to rely on the simulation alone to engage his
students, John further adds to the learning experience by
requiring students to dress up for their roles and
awarding prizes to the best costumes.
The simulation also helps to reinforce the learning of
theories, as students are able to observe and analyse how
theories play out, and reflect on the implications. John
also observed students who did not usually speak up in
class actively participating in the simulation. In this sense,
the simulation can be said to enhance knowledge
acquisition by getting more students involved more
deeply. Through this platform, students experience the
their tactics to influence public policy. Students also think importance of participation in the political process and its
about the alliances and adversaries they will be making. inherent dynamism.
In the second round of the simulation, students are Cumbersome administration goes automatic
tasked to form coalitions. The simulation offers varied
outcomes – students representing the different groups in John and CTE continued their collaboration to review the
the community may initially be in agreement, but experiences of the initial runs, which resulted in
subsequently fall out, consequently altering the refinements to improve the user experience of both the
simulation dynamics and providing for more authentic instructor and the students. For instance, students would
learning. email their strategies to the teaching assistant for
compilation and review with the class. “It was very
“Students talk about the simulation all the time in the laborious and ineffective,” John remarked, “but
student evaluations and when I meet them in the hall,” important for the simulation.” To make the simulation
John recounted with a smile. “Even if they do not more efficient, CTE assisted to automate the email
remember anything I taught them, they remember the process such that the email input goes directly to an
simulation and the lessons that emerged from it. They output that everyone can see. That freed John to focus
