Organization: Simulation & Gaming - Project IDEALS
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.biosph-l
Date:         Sun, 15 Nov 1992 11:46:20 CST
Reply-To:     CROOKALL@UA1VM.BITNET
From:         CROOKALL@UA1VM.BITNET
Subject:      Project IDEALS

This file                               If you are interested in
contains                            cross-cultural communication,
101 lines.                           international understanding,
                                            environmental issues,
                                      and global interdependence,
                                you should find this of interest.

                           ==============
                           Project IDEALS
                           ==============
          Promoting an International Dimension in Education
          -------------------------------------------------
                 via Active Learning and Simulation
                 ----------------------------------

Project IDEALS is a computer-assisted learning environment based on
multi-site, semester-long, socially-interactive simulations.
Computer technologies allow distant teams to communicate, hold
real-time teleconferences, and to obtain feedback on their
performance and progress.
    Project IDEALS is firmly based on the principles of experiential
learning; it encourages students to become fully involved, motivates
them to work hard, and helps them take responsibility for their own
learning.

                             Objectives
                             ----------
* To develop competence and confidence in communicating with people
   from other cultures, and so help create international friendships.
* To give students greater knowledge and understanding of
   international events and issues in global environmental
   problems, sustainable development and global interdependence.
* To enhance professional skills in such areas as team work, decision
   making, problem solving, leadership and negotiation, and to
   develop computer literacy, clear writing and critical thinking.

                              Structure
                              ---------
The central component of Project IDEALS is a large-scale simulation
assisted by computers and telecommunications.  Students take on the
roles of high-level negotiators representing various countries at an
international conference.  The country teams are situated at
different campuses (usually one team per campus) and communicate
using computer networks and specialized simulation management
software.  Currently, teams are situated in such countries as
Russia, Hong Kong, Japan, USA, Canada, Finland, Peru, UK,
Germany, Netherlands, Estonia and Australia.
    The ultimate goal of each simulation is for teams to negotiate an
agreement related to some international situation -- for example, to
hammer out the text of a treaty governing the use and regulation of
the oceans (including resources, fishing, pollution, heritage of
humanity, north-south issues, transport of hazardous waste, etc.).
Other topics may include the future of Antarctica.  Scenarios
may involve real or hypothetical countries.
    In Project IDEALS, the experiential learning cycle is paramount,
emphasizing the importance of regular and structured reflection on
experience to convert it into learning, which in turn becomes the
basis for further practical experience.

                  Computers and telecommunications
                  --------------------------------
In order to participate, each site needs a minimum of one
microcomputer (e.g., BBC, IBM compatible, Macintosh), a modem, a
printer, a telecommunications package, and a simple word processor.
Faculty and students do not need any special computer skills in order
to participate.  Each site will also need access to the Internet (NSFnet)
telecommunications network.
    The main simulation management software, called Polnet II, is
situated at the University of Alabama.  It allows messages to be sent
to any number of other teams at other sites and for those teams to
sign on at any time to retrieve those messages and to send their own.
It also enables teams to participate in real-time teleconferences, in
which several teams communicate in a synchronous, conversational
mode.  It collects and provides feedback and research data on-line
(through questionnaire and text analysis components).

                         Further information
                         -------------------
A longer file (490 lines) containing more detailed information
is available, and also a registration form for participants
potentially interested in taking part next semester.

To obtain these, please contact Chet Farmer or Frannie Goubet,
Assistant Directors, or David Crookall, Director:

         E-mail:   * preferably
         ======    cfarmer1 @ ua1vm.bitnet  or  ua1vm.ua.edu
                   * or
                   crookall @ ua1vm.bitnet  or  ua1vm.ua.edu

         Project IDEALS
         Morgan Hall, Box 870244      Telephone: 205-348-9494
         University of Alabama        Facsimile: 205-348-5298
         Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA

Simulation and Gaming Perspectives.  Springer-Verlag.  Crookall, D.
& Saunders, D. (eds) 1989.  Communication and Simulation: From Two
Fields to One Theme.  Multilingual Matters.

(Nov92)
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Subject: (no subject given)