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Stakeholder’s Perspectives
Exploring Needs and Experiences of Students and Educators
Authors: Magdalena Rekść and Zbigniew Głąb
This report presents the findings of focus group discussions conducted with students and educators. The University of Łódź carried out surveys and focus group discussions to collect data on effective online teaching practices and expectations for the upcoming simulation. A preliminary survey established a foundation for the focus group interviews, enabling the collection of richer and more detailed feedback.
The focus group discussions resulted in six key recommendations for implementing simulations in peace and conflict studies. First, preparatory courses should address the diverse academic backgrounds of students, providing a shared foundational knowledge base to ensure equitable participation. Second, simulations should incorporate real cases to enhance relevance and engagement, with careful selection of conflicts that minimise emotional sensitivities in international groups. Third, institutions should provide a variety of teaching materials, such as podcasts, maps, and literature, to enrich the learning experience and cater to diverse learning preferences.
Fourth, the importance of international and interdisciplinary collaboration should be emphasised, with clearly defined roles assigned to students to foster accountability and develop transferable skills. Fifth, innovative evaluation methods, including reflective journals, should replace traditional exams to capture students’ experiences, promote self-awareness, and encourage critical thinking. Lastly, practitioners and experts should be actively involved in simulations to provide practical insights, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world applications.
These recommendations offer actionable strategies for maximising the educational impact of simulations, ensuring that they effectively prepare students for the complexities of peace and conflict studies.
Cite as: Rekść, Magdalena and Zbigniew Głąb 2025. Stakeholder’s Perspectives: Exploring Needs and Experiences of Students and Educators. SHARINPEACE Report #2.1
Disclaimer: The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use, which may be made of the information contained therein.
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Simulating Human Rights in Peacebuilding SHARINPEACE
Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnerships, 2021-1-DE01-KA220-HED-000031133
