Background: Mission US is a series of interactive first-person role-playing history games and curricular materials that address a critical problem: students lack fundamental knowledge of our nation's history. According to the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP, 2018), only 13% of Grade 8 students were proficient on the…

Social studies is a class students encounter in the fourth and fifth grades of primary school in Slovenia. It includes goals from the fields of geography, sociology, history, ethnology, psychology, economy, politics, ethics, aesthetics, and ecology. Among other didactic recommendations in the national curriculum for teaching, social studies…

Educational systems worldwide are being challenged to respond effectively to the digital revolution and its implications for learning in the 21st century. In the present new media age, educational reforms are desperately needed to support more open and flexible structures of on-demand learning that equip students with competencies required in a…

Best-selling author Marcia L. Tate brings her trademark "dendrite-growing" teaching strategies to this practitioner-friendly collection of brain-compatible methods for engaging K-12 students in social studies. Included are 20 proven strategies and more than 200 grade-leveled activities for applying them. Teachers will find concrete ways to…

In 1977-78, 327 secondary social studies teachers in Ohio responded to a survey about their use of and opinions about simulations. Fifty-eight percent of the respondents regularly used simulations in their classrooms. More detailed responses and reasons for use or nonuse of simulations are discussed. (SJL)

Simulation games are discussed as innovative educational techniques for social studies teachers. Theories of simulation and selecting, creating, and implementing simulation games are among topics discussed. (JN)

The document provides an annotated list of 130 games and simulations for elementary and secondary economics courses, outlines procedures for using games, and reviews research studies on social science games and simulations. It is presented in five chapters. Chapter I lists selection criteria: the simulation/game must use the role playing features…

Simulation games, antedated by war games such as CHATURANGA and chess, are still in an early stage of their design, development, and use for the classroom. Evidence of their learning advantages is little and uncertain; but their users, students and teachers, are enthusiastic; and they may become an integral part of the K-12 curriculum. Simulations…

This report, third in a series, contains descriptive and analytical information on the use of simulation/games in elementary and secondary social studies classrooms. One hundred and thirteen teachers who are well versed in the use of simulation/games and who use them in their classes were surveyed. Among the findings are the following: (1) the…

Simulation gaming is an instructional technique, uniquely suited to enhance the repertoire of the social studies teacher. As its name suggests, simulation is anything that recreates reality. A game, on the other hand, is an activity in which (1) participants agree to abide by a set of expectations in order to create an experience and (2)…

This study examined the effects of parameter controls (highly structured v unstructured play) and student ability and sex on the extent to which junior high students engaged themselves in four social studies simulation games. Internally parametered (unstructured) games produced greater role acceptance. Sex and ability variables were not…

This packet of materials contains law-related materials for students to conduct a mock trial. In this case a faulty water system, containing the parasite Pindia, contributed to the death of an AIDS patient. Statements from the plaintiff, a representative of the Metro City Water Department, health officials, and others are presented. New releases,…

Maintains that simulation games in social studies education are successful because they combine factual content, skills development, and experience in decision making. The five simulations described are Explorers I, River City, Boxcars, The Union Divides, and Starpower. (Author/DB)

This book presents simulation activities for the eight profiles of U.S. Senators presented in John F. Kennedy's "Profiles in Courage." Intended for student involvement, the simulations require student research and practice in order to carry out the designated roles. The simulations and role play are designed to actively involve the…