An Educational Simulation Game Framework and Practice Based on Complex Adaptive Systems Theory: For Fostering Systems Thinking

Abstract

Background: In an era where complex systems, including economies, ecosystems, and social networks, play a pivotal role, a systems thinking approach is crucial for comprehending their intricate characteristics and dynamics. Educational games, emerging as a novel pedagogical medium, inherently hold the potential to simulate and portray these multifaceted systems. Nevertheless, existing simulation games frequently suffer from a lack of adaptability in complex systems, a deficient representation of network structures and an absence of efficient trial-and-error mechanisms, thereby constraining their educational efficacy.

Framework: Grounded in the Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) theory and the Complexity Learning theory, this study introduces the “World-Network-Gameplay” framework tailored for CAS simulation games. The core concept is threefold: (World) The adaptability of system arises from the simple agent’s adaptive rules: genetic algorithms and imitation mechanisms. (Network) The system’s network structure should be hierarchically presented to players, (Gameplay) Players should construct the system in person, balance influencing factors and perform rapid simulations to validate outcomes.

Game Practice: We developed an educational simulation game demo based on the WNG framework. Players assume the role of God, tasked with founding a primitive society on an island and guiding its evolution to enable human survival through successive disasters. In the game, players will observe the system’s evolution from simplicity to complexity, and cultivate systems thinking by comprehending and intervening in the system’s adaptability.

Verification: We did a pilot study including questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews, and verified the educational efficacy of the game framework.