Information exchange is a most critical element in instructional simulation games. The author therefore analyses these games as systems of communication in which information is transmitted by game designers to players via channels such as scenarios, rules and other players. Particular attention is given to the process whereby theoretical messages are encoded by game designers into game-stories, and then are decoded by players back into theoretical messages. The concepts of Transmitter, Receiver, Channel and Noise are related to instructional simulation games, and important questions generated through the use of these concepts are introduced for further research.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
OrbachE., Some Theoretical Considerations in the Evaluation of Instructional Simulation Games, Simulation and Games, 8: 3, pp. 341–360, 1977.
2.
BerelsonG. A. and SteinerG. B., Human Behavior, Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc., New York, 1964.
3.
PopperK. R., Conjectures and Refutations: The Growth of Scientific Knowledge, Harper & Row, New York, 1963.
4.
ReynoldsP. D., A Primer in Theory Construction, The Bobbs-Merrill Co., Inc., New York, 1971.
5.
AchinsteinP., Law and Explanation, An Essay in the Philosophy of Science, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1971.
6.
KerlingerF. N., Foundations of Behavioral Research, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., New York, 2nd edition, 1973.
7.
BlakeR. and HaroldsenE. O., A Taxonomy of Concepts in Communication, Hastings House, Publishers, New York, 1975.
8.
DanceF. E. X., (ed.), Human Communication Theory, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York, 1967.
9.
MeethamA. A. and HudsonR. A., (eds.), Encyclopedia of Linguistics, Information and Control, Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1969.
10.
MüllerF. A., (ed.), Encyclopedia of Cybematics, Manchester University Press, Manchester, 1968.
11.
RosieA. M., Information and Communication Theory, Van Nostrand & Reinhold Co., London, 1973.
12.
SmithA. G., (ed.), Communication and Culture, Holt, Rinehart & Winston, New York, 1966.
13.
SwansonR. and MarquartC., On Communication, Glencoe Press, London, 1974.
14.
YoungJ. F., Information Theory, Butterworth, London, 1971.
15.
ShannonC. E., A Mathematical Theory of Communication, Key Papers in the Development of Information Theory, SlepianD., (ed.), IEEE Press, New York, pp. 5–18, 1973.
