Change the Way we Teach – For a Lifetime of Learning Part 2

In Part 1, I told the story of how playing a game of hide and seek helped diffuse a stressful homework situation. By temporarily removing the source of the frustration, my daughter realized that she could think through a problem by using her wits and a bit of encouragement from her father. I want to say I became super-dad that afternoon! I could say it, but I will not. Each school day has its battles; I just happened to win that one!

I am not sure why, but one of my daughter’s favorite board games is Clue. As with many games, the game of Clue has evolved over the years. Compared to the version from my upbringing, the game now contains new parameters and challenges. The game designers seem to be adding role-playing concepts into the game. Maybe, but not quite. In my opinion, creating a Clue game that is completely based on role-play is attainable – and without further online reading, I think it has been done. Additionally, I believe there are companies that incorporate live action role play based on the ideals of Clue into an interactive game for adults as part of a dining experience or overnight stay at a bed-and-breakfast. If not, then these would be really cool in a non-pandemic social environment. Getting back to my daughter, I think she likes playing Clue because she wins most of the time. And winning is fun!

Good mystery games, such as Clue or Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego offer much in the way of personal and interpersonal skill development. With my daughter, I do not dive into the fact that the game of Clue is focused on solving a murder mystery. Given the weapons of choice include a bottle of poison, an axe, and a gun, I tend to leave the idea that someone is dead out of the game. I focus on teaching her strategy, organization, and deductive reasoning. How do we determine the who, what, and where of the mystery based on the information given? The basic premise of the game is straight forward. By asking your opponent to show you their cards – literally – you can determine the who, what, and where. But what if you were looking for a flag?

Capture the flag is a game with a long tradition. Even Atari developed a computerized version of it with its 2600 series console. With me, the game Stratego brings back wonderful memories. In fact, it was only yesterday that we played the game. Maybe not, but that depends on when you are reading this article. Nonetheless, like Clue, Stratego has also gone through an evolution in design. Historically, Stratego is based on an army war game: battalion against battalion. This is a thinking-man’s (or woman’s) game. All moving pieces – all but one – move one space at a time. The goal: capture the flag. In modern times, the revised version of the game includes fantasy characters including dragons, sorcerers, knights, and beasts. In this latest version of Stratego, these characters have special move and attack abilities – much like their fantasy role-playing counterparts. Of course, the dragon piece is my favorite since it can ‘fly’ over other pieces (if those pieces make a contiguous straight line). 

The modern version of Stratego offers the same thinking challenges as the original – strategy and cunning. However, the game designers added to the complexity by giving each character special move and attack options. A good understanding of how to use each character’s unique move and attack options gives the player an advantage to achieve the result: capture the flag! Aside from learning good sportsmanship, players learn to integrate strategy with tactics.

Strategy is your vision of how to play the game to win it! In games such as Stratego, each player needs to have a keen understanding of character movement and character attack options. Additionally, the player must understand what differentiates the stronger characters from the weaker characters. In any confrontation, the weaker character is captured. In terms of strategy, knowing where to place all your pieces at the onset of the game is imperative. Is your flag surrounded by stronger characters and traps? Are your scouts placed in advantageous locations? Which pieces are expendable? Answering these questions creates your long-term strategy.

Your execution is based on your long-term plan. Your execution – i.e., your tactics – are the steps you use to carry out your strategy. Smith (2020) defines tactics like this.   

Tactics are much more concrete and are often oriented toward smaller steps and a shorter time frame along the way. They involve best practices, specific plans, resources, etc. They’re also called “initiatives.”

In Stratego, you may want to create a contiguous ‘wall’ (i.e., line) of characts next to your dragon going both vertically and horizontally. By design, the dragon can ‘fly’ over contiguous characters, then attack. You may want to capture and use the archers (i.e., elves) from the opposing army. To capture and use an opponent’s weaker characters, you will need a sorcerer. Additionally, to reveal the identity of any enemy piece, you are going to need your mage. Knowing these things helps you execute your plan, gain position in the game, and capture your enemy’s flag!

Bowman (2010) presented ten skill sets that role-playing games should focus on if used for academic or educational purposes. These include personal skills, interpersonal skills, research skills, an understanding of myth and mythology, knowledge of history and historical events, empathy, writing, leadership, and public speaking. By far, this is not an all-inclusive list of skills that maintain the holistic core of an educational system. However, it does give me a place to start another conversation. And I will. Throughout this series, I will look at how games, and role-play scenarios, build and hone these fundamental attributes in all of us.  

As you can already see, I can give a speech on how to use Stratego as a teaching tool. And I am just getting started! In the 21st century, and in a post-epidemic social environment, teachers will need to become creative in the classroom. What can we learn from using games as an educational tool is only limited by our imagination. 

References

Smith, R. (2020). Strategy vs. tactics: The main difference & how to track progress of both. Retrieved from https://www.clearpointstrategy.com/strategy-vs-tactics/

Bowman, S.L. (2010). The functions of role-playing games: How participants create community, solve problems and explore identity. Jefferson, NC: McFarland.

Credit for pictures: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/search/strategy%20games/