Games lab play inspires new ways of teaching
Published: 20 May 2024
Taking on the character of a blacksmith, lumberjack or carpenter who negotiates, buys materials, and sells handmade goods is teaching game players about Adam Smith’s division of labour and principles of free trade.
Taking on the character of a blacksmith, lumberjack or carpenter who negotiates, buys materials, and sells handmade goods is teaching game players about Adam Smith’s division of labour and principles of free trade.
‘The Invisible Handshake’ simulation game was designed by Adam Smith Business School students, Prajjwal and Jan Jasiński, to teach participants negotiation, strategy, collaboration, and leadership skills amongst others.
To attain feedback on the effectiveness of the Invisible Handshake academics joined them to play rounds of the game at a new games-based learning lab (GBLL) in the School.
Created by Dr Matt Offord in partnership with Learning Innovation Officer Sebastien Marciak from the School’s Learning Innovation Team, the monthly lab introduces academics to how to use business simulation games in their teaching. The sessions show how these simulations can seamlessly integrate into the curriculum, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application.
Each workshop explores a new game with a chosen theme, enabling academics to experience the potential of enhancing student engagement and comprehension, by using experiential learning.
It also provides a social club where academics connect, discover and exchange ideas around innovative learning and teaching practices.
Feedback from the Invisible Handshake workshop will be used by the students to improve their creation, and the game demonstration will inspire teaching methods for the new 2024/25 student cohort.
First published: 20 May 2024
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