The International Communication and Negotiation Simulations (ICONS) Project at the University of Maryland has undertaken a major initiative, aimed at packaging interactive negotiation simulations for use in area studies classrooms. ICONS is targeting African and Latin American Studies programs with what it calls its "ICONS Classroom Technology Project." This initiative builds upon the remarkable opportunities that the Internet now offers to educators, including opportunities for authentic cross-cultural communication with students in the target regions. It also packages materials—via modules on the World Wide Web—for easy integration into a variety of course curricula.

In the classroom, there are three main components to the ICONS process: research, simulation, and debriefing. Students and instructors can glean a wealth of general knowledge and background information from online sources. Then, cast as diplomats, students work collaboratively to analyze problems and develop policies for a country other than their own. Two main forms of web-based communication between teams are available: daily messages or "diplomatic cables" sent from team to team, which wait in the recipients?queues to be picked up, as well as online conferencing capabilities which allow for "real-time" multilateral meetings or summits. After the negotiations are completed (either in a three or five-week module), participants are debriefed by facilitators on the highs and lows of their simulated world of diplomacy.

Students reported learning gains in a variety of substantive and technological skill areas. The students described lessons learned in terms of, for example, "how to resolve issues effectively," "how international politics function," and the importance of looking at issues "from all perspectives."

Table of Contents:

• Abstract
• Introduction
• The African-Americas Classroom Technology Project
• Culturally Relevant Curriculum
• Active Research
• Interactive Dialogues
• Conclusion
• References

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