A National Development Simulation Online to Teach Experiential Problem-Solving

Abstract

This teaching note outlines an innovative simulation game realized in response to post-pandemic experiential learning needs. The game introduces a fictional African country experiencing a series of political and financial shocks. Students are assigned membership in social groups and must implement the national policies that would improve outcomes for their group and the country. During weekly online interactive sessions, students debate these proposed policies before voting on a collective decision. In turn, that decision leads to the following week’s scenario. The game’s educational goal is to offer students a platform for analytical and engaged decision-making about real-world challenges through inclusive andragogy. The course is designed to empower self-learning and augment leadership potential for students from developing countries and serves as a meaningful step forward for decolonizing engaged political science education for students globally. Moreover, it transforms distance from a learning barrier to a valuable opportunity for collaborative problem-solving, with contemporary political and economic realities constituting the curriculum.