A Simple Classification Model for Debriefing Simulation Games

Debriefing is an important phase in using simulation games. Participants are invited to make a connection between experiences gained from playing the game and experiences in real-life situations. Thus, debriefing is the phase meant to encourage learning fromthe simulation game. Although design and practice of debriefing sessions should be aligned to this aim, it is necessary to distinguish different forms or modes of learning. The authors’central argument is that the shape of debriefing will have to meet the learning objectives being pursued in a concrete simulation game. They propose a general classification of learning objectives that allows a distinction to be made between types of use of simulation games. In each of the four types distinguished, the debriefing serves different purposes for which specific requirements can be formulated.