Teaching conflict assessment and frame analysis through interactive web-based simulations

Frames play a central role in how parties to a conflict make sense of their situation and how they interact. How they interact in turn affects possible outcomes. This article addresses a set of challenges to teaching about-frames, framing, and their link to conflict assessment, and offers a web-based solution that addresses some of these challenges. The training material incorporates aspects of simulation exercises and case studies to create a realistic environment in which students conduct assessments of conflict dynamics and frames. This free, publicly-available product can be integrated into in-class training modules, assigned as an out-of-class project, or explored through individual study. The materials allow for self-pacing, backtracking, review, and repeated tries, made possible by the web medium.