Real Game
Andreea-Diana M ĂRU ŢESCU
Institute of Educational Sciences, BucharestHistory
Bill Barry created Real Game. The thought occurred to him when his daughter protested
against the relevance of what she was learning in school: “I am never going to use any of
these things once I’ll finish school”. Seven years later almost three million pupils were
using the game.
The programme originates in Newfoundland, Canada, and it is implemented in Canadian
and United States schools. Ever since 1997 there has been an increased interest in
introducing the game in schools in Great Britain, where it started with a short version, in
small groups. During 1998-1999 the second phase, of extension, had started. As a
consequence of assessment studies in Great Britain at the beginning of 2000, one single
version of the game is now in use.
Theoretical background
Real Game represents the experimental variant of the simulation method. It originates in
educational, industrial, military and economic practice. In essence it is simulation of a
situation (decision making, anticipating the communication, etc.) which, in relation to the
given topic, circumscribes a framework for cognitive action and makes participants
perform certain parts / roles.