This article investigates the particular mechanisms through which a role-play simulation impacts student perceptions of knowledge acquisition. Longitudinal data were mobilized in the form of quantitative and qualitative surveys to examine whether the simulation succeeded in increasing knowledge around both content and skills. It then delves deeper…

This is a ready-to-use simulation that has high school students portraying all of the key players that decide how water from the Colorado River will be allocated. Students act as judges, lobbyists, news analysts, and even protesters during a mock water conference. Water supply is promised beyond nature's delivery, so the problem is real and will…

In this exercise students examine data on the racial distribution within the thirteen junior high schools of Fresno. Then upon discovering evidence of de facto segregation, students research, discuss, and present plans for desegregating the city junior high schools. (Author)

Intended for college level geography courses, this game simulates the division and trade of world resources. These resources include all essential tangible and intangible elements--e.g., food, energy, technology, and political concessions--that are negotiated or exchanged on world commercial and political markets. Instructions for designing game…

Map activities for kindergarten and a role play activity about migration in Africa are the classroom exercises described in two separate articles. (Author/KM)

Debates over the nature and extent of globalization raise many issues to be addressed in a geographic education. In this paper, I briefly review case method instruction and role-play as teaching strategies suitable for material on globalization and other geographic subject matter, and then sketch an overview of an undergraduate geography role-play…

Simulation game that involves high school or college students in developing a 5-year economic plan for a newly independent third world country. Role playing the members of a revolutionary junta, students weigh individual benefits against national and group benefits. Game involves one or more cycles of strategy formulation, open debate, and voting.…

Role-playing activities are an example of active learning that introduces students to "real-world" situations. This paper discusses the development and assessment of a role-play that involves an undergraduate geography class in a local public land management process. This particular case study is useful because it reflects broader themes and…

Argues that introductory texts in population geography overlook many important issues and current debates. Suggests that teaching population geography would benefit from reading and discussing Malthus' actual words; examining fertility dynamics and influences on reproductive choice; and considering gender issues. Presents a classroom activity to…

Analyzes 13 role-playing activities and simulation games used in geography classes. Examines the games' use of male and female roles and the images which they promote. (Author/AV)

Describes objectives, content, and teaching procedures of an introductory college-level urban geography course. Lectures, student papers, and role playing are designed to help students learn about central place theory, space economy, land use, and social geography. (Author/AV)

Described is a simulation game concerned with the expeditious location of a sewage plant in a hypothetical urban area. Over 15 college or high school students can play the game, which involves government bargaining, citizen reaction, and side payments. (Author/AV)

Students analyze a contemporary geopolitical event from a comprehensive geographic perspective using role play simulation, discussion, and decision-making. The three-day activity provides teachers with a realistic, ready-made classroom lesson that combines powerful conceptual learning with drama and surprise. The task of the teacher is to…

Presents a role playing lesson on Meriweather Lewis and George Rogers Clark's exploration of the Louisiana Purchase. Emphasizes integration of the five fundamental themes of geography: location, place, human environment interactions, movement, and regions. Suggests evaluation procedures, extension lessons, and materials and resources. Calls upon…

Asserts that college students often do not understand or appreciate the way that the mass media construct images of place. Describes a day-long simulation exercise in which students work on journalistic teams sent to an unfamiliar location to report on its landscape and environment. (CFR)