iThrive Sim offers interactive educational simulations designed to engage secondary students in civics and social-emotional learning. These role-playing experiences place students in realistic scenarios, and each outcome is based on the choices the players make throughout the game. Some of the simulations can be completed independently, while others are designed for cooperative learning groups. The simulations require students to make decisions and navigate complex social and political situations, which helps them develop critical thinking and empathy skills. Facilitators can sign up their students for group simulations (you can learn more about the free registration process here), but independent simulations do not require preregistration. Each simulation includes additional details for educators, including tips for playing the games and lesson stems. Currently, iThrive Sim offers six simulations, with a seventh in development.
- Disaster Mind (in cooperation with FEMA) is a single-player simulation that focuses on having a growth mindset and disaster preparedness.
- Global Climate Negotiations (designed with High Resolves) is a multiplayer simulation that challenges students to reduce global emissions and the cost of carbon credits to the countries that they represent as ambassadors.
- Lives in Balance is a simulation game in which multiple players act as and engage with government officials who must make decisions during a fictional pandemic.
- Leading Through Crisis is a multiplayer simulation that challenges students to assume the roles of government officials during international and domestic crises. As they progress through the simulation, students must work together, use data, explore primary source documents, and more.
- Follow the Facts is a multiplayer simulation game that encourages media literacy among teens. Teens take on the role of journalist or news editors and are tasked with finding credible sources and collaborating without bias.
- Selling Dreams (designed with the SEED Institute) is a single-player simulation. Students take on the role of the guardian, a caseworker tasked with meeting the needs of various young people they encounter throughout the simulation. Learn about the importance of understanding the needs of the youth, building trust, and developing good rapport.
- Middlebury (In production at the time of this blog post) is a single-player game that will explore themes related to terrorism, counterterrorism, and extremism.
Applying the Triple E Framework
The Triple E Framework, created by Dr. Liz Kolb, states that “effective technology integration begins with good instructional strategies and not fancy tools” (tripleeframework.com). Dr. Kolb wrote a book, Learning First, Technology Second (ISTE, 2017), which lays out the three main uses of technology in education: to Engage, Enhance, or Extend learning goals. We can use this framework to decipher why we use specific classroom tools. Here is a rubric based on the Triple E Framework that you can use to evaluate whether iThrive Sim (or any other technology) is a good fit with your learning goals and whether you should use it in your lesson.
- Engage in learning goals: Students can focus on the content and questions as there are no advertisements or other distractions. Students become active rather than passive learners by taking on various roles (depending on the chosen game), discussing their options, and deciding on the best choices.
- Enhance learning goals: By allowing students to enter an immersive world and take on new roles and personas, iThrive Sim creates pathways for students to demonstrate their understanding of the learning goals in a way that would not be possible without technology.
- Extend learning goals: Dr. Kolb describes extended learning as an opportunity for students to learn, connect, and collaborate outside the regular school day and as a way to create a bridge between school learning and everyday life experiences. iThrive Sim can easily be used during a remote learning day. Students can complete independent games on their own, and the cooperative learning games can be used with some additional preparation. Using iThrive Sim also empowers students to build positive, evidence-based decision-making skills they can use in future academic courses or careers.
SAMR Connection
The SAMR Model, by Dr. Ruben Puentedura, suggests that technology implementation has four levels. Therefore, we can use this model as a guideline to analyze how we use technology tools in the classroom. iThrive Sim could be used at the two highest levels of SAMR:
- Modification: At the modification level, the technology allows for significant task redesign. iThrive Sim provides immersive, interactive experiences that go beyond traditional teaching methods. These games significantly redesign how students engage with content and practice skills. Students can explore complex scenarios and see the consequences of their decisions in a safe environment.
- Redefinition: At the redefinition level, technology allows for the creation of previously inconceivable new tasks. iThrive Sim games create learning experiences that would be difficult or impossible to replicate without technology. The simulations allow students to take on roles and engage with scenarios that would be impractical to create in a traditional classroom setting. The simulations change based on the students’ choices, providing personalized learning experiences.
Take advantage of Part 2 of the Tech Tool of the Month: iThrive Sim, where we’ll discuss using the tool and classroom ideas. In the meantime, let us know how you have used iThrive Sim in your education setting in the comment section below.