Simulations and Student Learning

ABSTRACT

While many political scientists advocate simulations as an effective teaching tool to facilitate student learning, we have very little systematic evidence that this is true. In this research note I provide experimental evidence showing that six of eight measures of student learning were significantly higher in introductory American Government courses that included a simulation of the United States Senate. These results provide quantitative support for the widespread anecdotal evidence about the teaching effectiveness of simulations.

Keywords:

• simulations
• student learning
• American politics course

Notes

Note: The experimental group included 180 students, of which 174 filled out student evaluations. The control group included 180 students, of which 171 filled out student evaluations.

* p < .05.

** p < .01.

*** p < .001.