Simulations and Games for Teaching Law: What's Possible?

Michael Edward Lenert

Abstract

Over the last decade or so, there has been a growing interested in using serious games as tools for teaching and learning (e.g., Aldrich, 2004, Gee, 2003, McGonigal, 2010, Prensky, 2001, Reeves, 2009, Salen & Zimmerman, 2004).

The on-going digital media revolution has put the world of information at our fingertips but many institutions of education remain at the far end of the technology adoption curve. This is especially true in legal education where tradition and precedent are prized above all else.

The paper first articulates three principles for using simulations and serious games for teaching law. Then, starting with the theoretical foundation of these three principles, the paper conducts an analysis of three cases studies and draws out some possible conclusions concerning the use of simulations and games for teaching law.