Energy Policy and Politics

​​Project Summary:

• This Virtual Exchange Project engaged students with a game simulation with individual roles that reflect the US Environmental policy and political system. The game focused on siting an off-shore wind farm in the United States using a simulation created by Harvard University. The students participated in teams with students from the University of the Aegean. Further on, students were divided into three teams and the game took place synchronously over Zoom over the course of three hours.  Prepared scripts and role scenarios were sent to the students one week before the game simulation and additional background information for the strategy to be pursed in the game environment was provided.

  In addition, five lectures that used a camera supported by the GLE to record 3-dimensional/panoramic lectures (virtual reality like) on local area wind and solar farms was loaded into the course.  Both sets of students viewed these lectures using goggles in preparation for the game.

Project Length:

• 4 Weeks

Technology tools used:

• VoiceThread
• Zoom
• D2L
• DB
• Microsoft Word
• Power Point
• Goggles for VR lectures
• Green Screen Lectures

Communication Type/ Interaction Mode:

• Synchronous
• Asynchronous

Learning Outcomes:

• Evaluate public policy and politics associated with energy sources in the United States (Discussion Boards) and globally (Final Paper and Presentation).
• (optional) Communicate both internationally with others and without the aids of bullets on a PowerPoint presentation.
• (optional) Engage in learning about wind farms in the US and in Greece using immersion learning (3d/panoramic lecture).
• Participate in a global learning experience (GLE) where students work with other students from a university in Greece (Simulation Game, and synchronous meetings with students from Greece).

Student Feedback:

• "The largest takeaway from these experiences was learning how to be a more efficient and universal communicator. Currently, I work on an international team for an energy company and understanding the communication styles of different cultures is essential for success… My favorite part of the GLE courses was being able to really dive into other cultures and better understand how my own comes across to others."  ~ Natalie B. 2021​
  

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