NASAGA - Games and Simulations

Pre-Conference Workshops

How To DESIGN Games, Activities, and Simulations for Education and Training

Facilitated by Matthew S. Richter and his team

Note: This workshop is a requirement for the Design Certificate Program. However, you may enroll in the workshop without being a participant in the certificate program.

Workshop Goal
To design games, activities, and simulations for education and training by using field-tested approaches that produce high levels of instructional motivational effectiveness.
Workshop Objectives
1. Define games, activities, and simulations, specify their advantages and limitations in corporate training and education, and differentiate among simulation and non-simulation activities.
2. Briefly explore and experience different “frames” (templates) for designing non-simulation activities (such as board games, card games, double exposure, improv games, instructional puzzles, interactive lectures, item processing, matrix games, structured sharing, and textra games) and different types of simulation activities (such as action learning, structured fieldtrips, reflective teamwork activities, the case method, culture assimilators, cross-cultural dialogues, production simulations, interactive storytelling, role playing, cash games, and jolts).
3. Select the most appropriate frame (or type) of activity to suit your specific learning objectives and participant characteristics.
4. Prepare a plan for the design, development, evaluation, and revision of the selected type of activity during the conference.
Additional Tasks for Participants in the Certificate Program
1. Attend five concurrent sessions during the conference and incorporate the principles and procedures that you learned from these sessions in your design project.
2. Present your design plan and receive critique and suggestions in a final conference session.
Materials
Each participant will receive a Games, Activities, and Simulations Design Manual that contains examples of different types of interactive learning strategies along with guidelines for their design.

How To FACILITATE Games, Activities, and Simulations for Education and Training

Facilitated by Sivasailam “Thiagi” Thiagarajan with Dave Piltz, Tracy Tagliati, and others

Note: This workshop is a requirement for the Facilitation Certificate Program. However, you may enroll in the workshop without being a participant in the certificate program.

Workshop Goal
To conduct games, activities, and simulations by using effective and flexible techniques that result in more engaging activities, thoughtful reflection, and applicable learning.
Workshop Objectives
1. Differentiate among training, “pure” facilitation, and instructional facilitation. Specify the advantages and limitations of instructional facilitation.
2. Identify critical dimensions of activities-based training (including pace, intensity, competition, and playfulness). Select, maintain, and balance appropriate intensities of these dimensions. Also make appropriate adjustments along these dimensions while facilitating a group.
3. Recall and implement improvisation principles that enable co-opting participants in the design and delivery of training.
4. Create instant training activities that incorporate existing sources of training content.
5. Recognize disruptive behavior patterns among participants. Reduce and eliminate these behaviors by transforming hostile participants into active collaborators.
6. Recognize the importance of the debriefing process for linking the training game or activity to the workplace reality. Apply a powerful six-phase model for maximizing learning from experience.
7. Recall and apply special techniques for facilitating the exploration of controversial topics.
Additional Tasks for Participants in the Certificate Program
1. Attend five concurrent sessions during the conference and incorporate the principles and procedures that you learned from these sessions in your facilitation project.
2. Present your facilitation plan and receive critique and suggestions in a final conference session.
Materials
Each participant will receive a copy of Facilitative Trainers’ Toolkit that contains job aids and guidelines for effective facilitation of learning games, activities, and simulations.