Twilight Struggle in the Classroom

[Rex Brynen]

While I haven't played Twilight Struggle with students, I have used Labyrinth (which is a roughly similar game design). I have usually just taught the game rules on the spot by having everyone play through a tutored practice turn, then starting for real.

Having students work in teams can certainly work—I generally do it this way. In my experience, however, teams larger than 3 slow down game play considerably, and can also suffer from "analysis paralysis."

Another problem is that the game takes a long time to play, and uses up a lot of class lecture time (especially if played in class time). I generally use boardgames as voluntary class activities, which students can play for bonus credit. I've even run a tournament in this way, where the best performing team won additional bonus credit.

You might find these links useful:

http://paxsims.wordpress.com/2011/01/16/some-thoughts-on-multiplayerclassroom-labyrinth/

http://paxsims.wordpress.com/2014/02/23/gaming-political-science/

Finally, a note of caution. Students do not necessarily learn--or learn the right things--from playing a game. Learning outcomes depend heavily on how the game is briefed, debriefed, and integrated with other course materials.

[James Sterrett]

Very good points, Rex!

CommandTent, any thoughts on where we've you're going to go with this?

[TheCommandTent]

Well tomorrow half of my class will be gone for one thing or another so instead of starting a new lesson I am going to use the remaining students as guinea pigs to try this out.  I think I've settled on taking the scoring cards and China card out and seeing if they can pick up the concepts as we go.  I've got 87 minutes so I won't be able to finish a game but if it goes well I can spend one more class on it and if not then no big loss.

[Martok]

Coolness.  Curious to see how this goes. 

[TheCommandTent]

Coolness.  Curious to see how this goes.

I thought it went well with the few students who were there on Friday.  We ended up only getting 3 turns into the early war era but I was under no illusion that we would get close to finishing it.  (They ended up wanting to play through their lunch which was right after my class so that was kind of cool).  However, I have trouble seeing how I could effectively use that game with a larger group of students.

I didn't use the space race, required military operations and I took out all of the scoring cards to help things along.  At the beginning of the game they had no idea where to start so we talked about how the early Cold War focused alot on Europe and that might be a good place for them to focus (especially given alot of the early cards).  Once they got rolling they asked lots of good questions and I pushed here and there to help them out.  The cards were great because alot of them we talked about in class so it was good review to see who was paying attention or not.

If I ever get the chance to play with a small group again I would but don't think I could swing it in a larger setting.  It also would probably be better as an after school activity than only being able to scratch the surface of the game during my class period.

[bayonetbrant]

would it work with several parallel small groups?  Maybe get 2-3 games simultaneously?

[Staggerwing]

Multiple games running after school is a great idea! You could also introduce other games teaching history that way. When I was in High School 30-odd years ago we had a regular wargaming club that met once a week. It was unmoderated by a teacher so we didn't really play games with a lot of varied learning value. We mostly played PB/PL/AIW, Von Richthofen's War, Wooden Ships, and some Squad Leader (it was new and we only had one set). I do wonder how it would have been had someone introduced games from outside our narrow teenage interests.

[TheCommandTent]

would it work with several parallel small groups?  Maybe get 2-3 games simultaneously?

I theory yes but that would be alot of to have to manage and keep moving forward not to mention I would need a few more copies of the game.