Abstract:
Strategic intelligence is considered by intelligence professionals to be the highest form of the analytic art. There is a tremendous demand for this type of intelligence product and a lack of trained professionals capable of producing it. Developing effective teaching methods for this challenging subject, therefore, is an area of ongoing concern for the business, law enforcement and national security intelligence communities.
Previous research suggests that a game-based approach to teaching can be successful but no report so far has examined game-based learning in intelligence analysis. I hypothesized that a game-based approach to teaching strategic intelligence analysis would increase learning and improve performance while also increasing student satisfaction with the course.
This paper reports the initial results and lessons learned from teaching three full courses (2 undergraduate and one graduate) in strategic intelligence using games as a teaching tool. The paper will begin by examining the unique challenges in teaching about strategy, strategic decisionmaking and the types of intelligence that supports those efforts. This will be followed by a short discussion concerning games based learning generally before examining in detail the specific approaches used in these three courses.
This paper will also examine both the learning outcomes and student satisfaction with the courses. Finally, this paper will discuss appropriate course modifications for undergraduate and graduate students when teaching advanced subjects with games based on the evidence from this study.
Teaching Strategic Intelligence Through Games
4 comments:
You really should publish this somewhere beyond the Internet, such as a journal or something. This would be well received I think.
Will,
Thanks for the encouragement. I recently submitted it for publication and I have just heard it was accepted.
Kris
Kristan, have you tried to develop exercises like we had/have in the military--Field Training Exercises (FTX) and Command Post Exercises (CPX)? I've developed a number, sat through dozens, and used them in Africa while working for the U.S. State Departmen's African Contingency Operations and Training Assessment (ACOTA). We trained members of African military staff deploying on UN peacekeeping operations. Once could develop the scenario, friendly and threat forces (and does not have to be just military), develop Operations Orders and Operations Plans, and then divide the students into two (or more) teams, with the instructor as the Observer/Controller... The idea has been in the back of my mind for a while as a technique for teaching intelligence and the intelligence-operations relationship.
Kristan, have you tried to develop exercises like we had/have in the military--Field Training Exercises (FTX) and Command Post Exercises (CPX)? I've developed a number, sat through dozens, and used them in Africa while working for the U.S. State Departmen's African Contingency Operations and Training Assessment (ACOTA). We trained members of African military staff deploying on UN peacekeeping operations. Once could develop the scenario, friendly and threat forces (and does not have to be just military), develop Operations Orders and Operations Plans, and then divide the students into two (or more) teams, with the instructor as the Observer/Controller... The idea has been in the back of my mind for a while as a technique for teaching intelligence and the intelligence-operations relationship.
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