Browsing by Author "Nuckols, Wilson"

This study was a case study on the use of simulation games as a teaching method in Finland. The goal of the study was to determine in what way do the possible theoretical benefits of simulation games as a teaching method manifest in the context of an empirical try-out in Finland’s elementary school system. The method in question is popular among Anglo-Saxon countries, yet it has not achieved a notable foothold within a Finnish teaching context. Based on a theoretical overview simulation games could increase student engagement, activation and socialization when properly utilized as a teaching method. The actual empirical phase of this study was conducted as a simulation game lesson to a certain 6th grade class of 21 students in Helsinki. The actual simulation game was planned to simulate the democratic process and decision-making phases of the Finnish parliament in accordance with the national curriculum of 2014’s civics studies curriculum. After the simulation game lesson feedback was collected from 19 students with a quantitative survey. Six students were selected to be qualitatively interviewed based of the survey results. The result is research material for theoretical benefits for simulation games that has been collected using a mixed methods approach. The quantitative material was analysed for averages and frequencies. The qualitative material was processed via content analysis. Based on the quantitative survey all three possible benefits were present during the simulation game lesson. According the qualitative results students found the engagement factor of the game itself central to the simulation game experience. A sense of agency was also considered to be an important factor. Working together was a cross-sectional theme of simulation games, yet it was not reported to be centrally significant. Based on the results, simulation games can be a positive experience for students in regard to agency, autonomy and social skills.