Three Levels of Learning in Simulations: Participating, Debriefing, and Journal Writing

Abstract

Simulations and games provide three levels of learning: through participating, debriefing and writing. While taking part in the simulation; the participant experiences different types off acts, emotions, relationships, strategies, and feelings. The participant learns to handle various social situations and experience the excitement of discovery. During the debriefing discussions, the student harnesses the vast information and makes sense out of these experiences by sharing his ideas and listening to other's impressions. The debriefer facilitates the discussion by using the four Es of debriefing: events, emotions, empathy, and explanations. The assumption of oral debriefing is that all participants learn the same things at the same time and in the same manner. Journal writing significantly extends the analytical learning process by requiring each participant to organize the material and debrief on an individual basis. The richness of the journal develops frm the writer weaving his own personal thread through his experiences, through other's encounters, and through theoretical concepts. The writing provides a record of each student's learning experience.