Activity 1: The Diffusion Simulation Game
Do you think you have what it takes to convince teachers and staff at a school to adopt innovative new technologies? The Diffusion Simulation Game was created by the Department of Instructional Systems Technology at Indiana University, Bloomington. The web version of the game is free to play, and challenges you to “get school teachers to adopt technology.” You are free to play the game as often as you like, and you are likely to try strategies that both will and will not work!
- Try the Diffusion Simulation Game.
- Note:
You will need to register with an email address and password to play this online simulation game.
- Note:
Write a short post on your portfolio that describes:
- Your experience playing the game.
This turned out more enjoyable than my initial thoughts. I thought I would have had better progress but the first time I played I only convinced seven staff members to adopt the peer tutoring program. I decided to throw a “hail mary” at the midpoint of year two by going with a “confrontation”. I was more curious as to what would happen and it turns out I was reprimanded for even attempting the idea and got a game over. I was hopeful I would have had the Principal and then could of used compulsion but it didn’t turn out that way. Overall it was an enjoyable experience.
- How many times did it take before you were happy with the number of teachers and staff you convinced to adopt a new technology?
In my second round of the game, I had fourteen adopters including the principal. I decided to go with the “compulsion” option as I only had six weeks left. I ended up rolling a “4” in the “role the die” scenario which caused most of my adopters to stop using it after a short period of time. I ended up with nine as a result. If I had stayed the course and built relationships, presented, and demonstrated I think I may have gotten up to eighteen as many were only one point away from adopting. I was curious about the “compulsion” option so that is why I went for it.
- What strategies worked for you?
Building relationships with the staff (talking, asking for help, pilot demonstrations, staff meetings, workshops) as well as using media and print. I think for this game if you keep track of who you have talked to for later in the game you will not lose a week because you haven’t engaged in a conversation yet (I made this mistake three times and lost three weeks).
- Which ones did not? Did you learn anything from playing the game that will influence how you approach integrating technology in your own practice? In your Technology Integration Activity project?
Confrontation does not work. I wouldn’t try that in real life as it is a highly risky pursuit. Compulsion didn’t work either, or even if it does the game mentions it will not last as staff are forced into it. Getting to know the staff and making connections seemed to work best combined with demonstrations, presentations, and workshops. From this game it is apparent to start in small increments and then work your way up. This is similar for the technology integration project as my target users will be grade three and four elementary students with low levels of digital literacy and familiarity.
