Use The Investigation Game® for an Engaging Lesson Plan

If you’re looking to bring forensic accounting to life in the classroom, The Investigation Game® is a powerful tool to create an immersive, hands-on learning experience. By integrating this game into your lesson plan, you can teach critical skills like financial analysis, fraud detection, and collaborative problem-solving—all while keeping students actively engaged.

Here’s how you can use The Investigation Game® to structure a compelling and educational lesson plan:

Step 1: Define Your Learning Objectives

Before starting, identify what you want participants to learn. Examples include:

• Understanding how to follow a financial paper trail.

• Learning fraud investigation techniques.

• Developing critical thinking and teamwork skills.

These objectives will shape how you present the game and guide the debrief after the activity.

Step 2: Set Up the Game

1. Gather Materials: Each game set includes case files, financial records, and other investigative tools. Ensure these are ready and organized for participants.

2. Divide Participants into Teams: If you have a large group, split them into small teams of 5 to encourage collaboration.

3. Introduce the Scenario: Begin the lesson by explaining the case background. Keep the details vague to mimic real-world investigations where not everything is clear from the start.

Step 3: Facilitate the Investigation

1. Allocate Time for Each Phase:

• Reviewing Evidence: Allow participants to examine case files, financial documents, and other materials.

• Analysis and Decision-Making: Give teams time to piece together the evidence and identify key findings.

2. Encourage Collaboration: Move around the room to observe, answer questions, and prompt critical thinking.

Step 4: Debrief and Discuss

After the game, hold a debriefing session:

• Review Findings: Have each team present their conclusions about what happened in the case.

• Tie Back to Learning Objectives: Discuss how the activity relates to real-world forensic accounting challenges.

• Reflect on Team Dynamics: Encourage participants to share how they collaborated and solved problems.

Benefits of Using The Investigation Game® in Lesson Plans

1. Interactive Learning: Students retain information better when actively engaged in solving problems.

2. Real-World Skills: The game mirrors actual investigative processes, providing practical insights into forensic accounting.

3. Critical Thinking: Players must analyze, hypothesize, and decide—skills applicable in any field.

4. Team Building: The collaborative nature of the game fosters communication and teamwork.

Example Lesson Plan Overview

Topic: Financial Fraud Investigation
Objective: Teach students how to analyze financial records to detect fraud.
Materials: The Investigation Game set, projector for instructions, whiteboard for notes.
Duration: 2 hours.

1. Introduction (15 minutes): Overview of forensic accounting and the case background.

2. Gameplay (65 minutes): Teams work through the case materials and reach a conclusion.

3. Debrief (20 minutes): Teams present findings, followed by group discussion.

Why The Investigation Game Works

This tool takes abstract concepts like financial fraud and makes them tangible. Students gain confidence in their ability to sift through data, identify anomalies, and draw meaningful conclusions. It’s not just a game; it’s a way to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Ready to add The Investigation Game® to your curriculum? Learn more about purchasing or licensing options at The Investigation Game®. Let the investigations—and the learning—begin!