What if You had Been in Charge? Exploring Historical Case Studies through Experiential Learning and Tabletop Exercises

Abstract

This paper discusses the advantages of the experiential learning concept when teaching through the use of historical case studies. Historical case studies that focus on decision-making and problem-solving become more engaging and interesting to students and teachers alike when played out as very simple tabletop exercises. When students struggle with the decisions faced by historical players through role-play and the carrying out of the consequences of their decisions using tangible models on a tabletop map they gain a depth of insight into the situation which is impossible to recreate through study and discussion alone. When combined with prior study and followed up by focused discussion, the tabletop exercise becomes deeply embedded in the students