Presenter:
Alexia Georgakopoulos, Halmos College of Arts and Sciences
As a Professor in the Department of Conflict Resolution Studies, I have been using Simulations and Improv activities to enhance student learning. These approaches to learning provide students with the opportunity to directly experience experiential learning. It allows students to demonstrate how they can apply what they have learned in class as it taps into praxis, so they can translate theories, concepts, and learning into practice. These approaches directly promote student skills and competencies as it moves from book learning to applied practice. As educators we are eager to see students demonstrate their skills and competencies, so simulations and improv approaches in the classroom encourage students to take real world situations to act upon in the moment. They are natural and fluid processes that have very limited constraints. The strength of this instructional approach is that it taps into creative learning that uses critical thinking in the moment. These approaches enhance students experience with real world situations, so they can tackle them to see what their strengths and areas for improvement may be with the practices and skills they applied. With very few rules, much creativity, and debrief, these approaches may be among the most useful professors can integrate in their class activities.
Learning Outcomes:
Participants will:
- Describe what Simulations and Improv can offer as instructional approaches
- Explain why Simulations and Improv enhance student learning
- Appreciate the value of Simulations and Improv in supporting creativity and critical thinking
