Table of Contents

1 The Short Sim: A Game Changer

2 Short Sim Example: Be a Hacker

3 Seven Short Sim Design Principles

4 Planning Assumptions and Expectations

5 Identify the Audience and Broad Topic Parameters

6 Research, Including Subject Matter Expert Interviews

7 Blocking Out a Simple Short Sim ⇨

8 Getting Feedback

9 Types of Short Sims

10 Coaches, Settings, and the Value of Efficiency

11 Examples of Inculcating New Ways of Thinking

12 On Levels

13 Case Study: Creating a Short Sim Lab on Demand Curves

14 Short Sim Example: Carpool (And Techniques to Align Behaviors in a Sim to Real-World Behaviors)

15 Introduction to Advanced Universal Techniques

16 Example: Learning Curves with Complex Topics

17 Role-Plays, from Simple to Complex

18 Example: Openish-Ended Labs Around Supply and Demand

19 Examples of Sandboxes and Other Exploration of Interesting Systems

20 Endings

21 Assessments and Measuring Learning and Engagement

22 Case Study: Creating a Simple Business Simulator

23 Conclusion

Appendix 1: Text Style Guide

Appendix 2: Examples of Learning Goals and Program Goals

Appendix 3: Broad List of Possible Subject Matter Expert Questions

Appendix 4: Be a Hacker Walk-Through

Appendix 5: Short Walk-Through of Visual Problem Identification

Appendix 6: Simple Business Simulator Walk-Through

About the Author

Clark Aldrich solves some of education's biggest problems, working with corporations, universities, foundations, the US military, non-profits, government organizations, and VCs.


Most recently, Aldrich has re-invented educational content　with an interactive model called Short Sims, which is more effective and more engaging for the learners and faster to create and less expensive for the producers. Short Sims renders traditional approaches alone obsolete.　　


Prior to that, Aldrich introduced and popularized games and simulations for online learning, and then　published Unschooling Rules, his fifth book, which redefined　the culture of learning, has been cited by President Obama, and adopted by leading schools everywhere.


Earlier still, Clark Aldrich founded Gartner's thought-leading eLearning　coverage which defined the emerging　industry.


Aldrich has been called a 'guru' by Fortune Magazine and a 'maverick' by CNN. 　Aldrich and his work have been featured in hundreds of sources, including CBS, ABC, The New York Times, USA Today, AP, Wall Street Journal, NPR, CNET, Business 2.0, BusinessWeek, and U.S. News and World Report. 　 He has written six books based on his first hand experiences, has a degree from Brown University in Cognitive Science, taught at a leading environment education foundation, has given numerous keynotes, and his patent and award winning programs have earned millions.　　


He grew up in Concord and Weston, Massachusetts, and is the ninth great-grandson of Governors John Winthrop and Thomas Dudley, first and second governors of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.