Ebner and Kovach consider the critique of role-plays previously offered in this series (see particularly, Alexander and LeBaron 2009) – and reject it. They argue that what is needed is not to move away from simulations, but to use the critique to devise more efficient, more convincing, more...

Druckman and Ebner carefully review an overwhelming number of studies which conclude that simulations (in all fields, not just negotiation) typically fail to live up to their promise. One quirk of the studies, however, drew their particular interest and inspired their own research: it seemed...

The PASTA WARS is a four-party negotiation/conflict simulation-game, in which participants must decide recurrently whether to adopt a cooperative stance or a competitive strategy towards one another. Participants are formed into four groups, each of which manages a flour mill that is attempting...

Online mediation is spreading rapidly as a mode of practice. In this chapter, Ebner surveys the development of e-mediation within the wider context of ODR growth. Next, the chapter presents a snapshot of the field’s status quo with respect to stakeholders, modes of communication and the...

In previous work in this series, Ebner and Druckman have analyzed the widely assumed (but surprisingly unproven) benefits of role-plays, and concluded that students learn more from designing role-plays than from playing them out. Now, they take the logical next step — explicit assessment of...

FlashPoint is a simulation-game constructed as a teaching-tool for the topics of conflict analysis and resolution, collaboration, negotiation, mediation and public international law. It is set in a scenario that is primarily fictitious – but still blends in and incorporates real events,...

DeBola is a simulation-game constructed as a teaching-tool for the topics of conflict analysis and resolution, collaborative problem solving, negotiation and decision-making. Specifically, it does so in the context of NGOs and mission-driven organizations. DeBola involves four NGOs working on...

Ore Wars is a scoreable, iterated, prisoner's dilemma-style negotiation between representatives of two planets over the monthly price for the rare mineral their planets produce. It is specifically designed to be used with small classes.For larger groups, see the prisoner's dilemma simulation...

Negotiation educators have long considered simulations a central classroom teaching method, with high expectations regarding the method’s suitability and efficacy for teaching. This paper presents a meta-review of the literature exploring the degree to which simulation delivers on these...

BeatleMania! is a simulation for studying and experiencing online dispute resolution. Two parties to an eBay transaction gone awry, regarding the sale of Beatles memorabilia, set out to resolve their differences with the assistance of a third party mediator. This simulation is structured to...