Using SETUPS Modifying SIMSTATE

Extract

In 1975, the American Political Science Association published an innovative computer game called SIMSTATE. The game and accompanying data bank were designed to help undergraduate students understand the dynamics of the budgetary process in American government, particularly at the state level. The game has been used successfully all across the country at all levels of postsecondary education — particularly when students have been given individual policy roles to play in the budgetary process. Still, the present package has two severe limitations. First, except for a brief descriptive booklet, no visual materials (i.e., slides, videotape) have been prepared to describe how the simulation package works and is used to analyze/evaluate the state government decision-making process.