Alternative Options for Using Mini Simulations

In addition to simulating the NSC or another decision-making body, mini simulations can be used for class discussions and other types of assignments. This may be desirable if you are under time constraints or want to focus on certain skills.

If you want to use the mini simulation for a discussion, use a routine that you and your students are already comfortable with, or consider a protocol such as Think, Pair, Share; Claim, Support, Question (applied to each policy option); or Take a Stand.

Mini simulations can also serve as a prompt for students to construct an argument about what policy they would follow. They could work alone or together and present their argument in a piece of writing (short or long) or in another medium such as a TikTok-style vertical video clip.

If you are teaching online, both the simulation procedure and the alternatives described above can work well on Zoom. Compared to a face-to-face class, expect the discussion to take longer, and use a firmer hand to facilitate: stick closely to the three-round structure and enforce the use of the “raise hand” feature in Zoom. Assigning the mini simulation as a writing assignment can also be a good solution in online learning.