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We learn by actively doing.
Promotes interest in the subject matter.
Stimulates student creativity.
Enhances student opportunities for analysis,
synthesis, and evaluation.
It is a welcome contrast to traditional
teaching methods.
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Market equilibrium, surplus, shortage
(crawfish game)
Market structure (Airwar)
Panel Debate: Business organizations
Labor/management contract negotiation
Stock market game
Internation Simulation
Quiz downs
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Mercantilism simulation(go for the gold!)
Causes of Revolutionary War Debate
Constitutional Convention
Jackson’s Indian Removal Policy
Causes of Mexican American War Debate
Compromise of 1850 Simulation
Robber Baron(oil monopoly simulation)
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How the West was Won(or lost): reservations,
renegades, or removal of Native Americans
Causes of Spanish-American War debate
Depression problem solving activity
Cuban Missile Crisis Simulation
Vietnam problem solving activity
Iranian Hostage Crisis Simulation
Skyjack: terrorism simulation
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Brainstorm how to create a workable
simulation out of important
concepts(ECONOMICS) or time
periods/events(U.S. HISTORY).
OR
Use or adopt what a colleague is using and
adjust it to your concepts/goals.
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Think through all possible angles how to
conduct the simulation and the possible
outcomes of the activity.
◦ Are there enough “roles” to actively engage an
average size class at your school?
◦ Can you expand roles for a very large class, or still
operate the activity with a very small class?
◦ Write out the instructions and keep them simple
and to the point.
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Prepare in advance the roles of the
participants and give them their instructions
ahead of time so they can know their roles!
Students are very creative! Expect them to
find a “loophole” or way to subvert the
process or rules.
Adjust quickly!
Be prepared to “go with the flow”
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Caution! Simulation and gaming can lead to
intense competition; emotions and feelings
run quite freely.
Be prepared for increased noise levels and
spontaneous expressions of emotions.(good
and bad)
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS have a debriefing
activity to discuss the concepts covered in the
simulation. This leads to GREAT discussion
opportunities!!!!
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“AIRWAR” is a market structure simulation
about price wars and its impact upon the
airline industry.
Underselling and unwise business practices
have led to bankruptcy and a general
consolidation of the airline industry since the
early 90’s. (students will experience this first
hand in the simulation)
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Voluntary exchange
Supply
Demand
Surplus
Shortage
Market
Monopoly
Oligopoly
Merger
efficiency
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Why did ticket prices go down as the
simulation progressed?
What would you do differently if you had the
same role again?
If a company is so efficient(see Walmart
article) that they are eliminating their smaller
competition should government step into the
marketplace to protect the less efficient
companies? How does this impact the
consumer?
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What do you suppose was happening in the
economy to cause ticket demand to drop by
over 50%?
What could the smaller airlines have done to
delay bankruptcy?
Would it be a good idea for Yankee Airlines to
merge with any of the smaller airlines?
What impact would a shortage of tickets have
upon the smaller airlines? A surplus?
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In your opinion, what role should government
take when competition decreases in a market
such as the airline industry?
For those of you have flown with Southwest
Airlines recently, why do you suppose they
have been the only profitable airline the last
20 years?
Is there such a thing as a “good” monopoly?