Ecotonos: A Simulation for Collaborating Across Cultures is a classic in the intercultural field. It simulates teaming across cultural differences, and thus helps learners practice and refine cross-cultural collaboration skills. It can be played multiple times for developmental learning, since there is no “trick” to the game. Play and debrief require a minimum of 100 minutes, but is so rich that quite a few professors refer back to and pull learning from the Ecotonos experience throughout the entire semester of a course.
First published in 1992, Ecotonos is now in its fifth edition!
I want to thank—immensely—Kathryn Stillings, who headed up the most recent reprinting: from finding sources for the plastic carrying case and the metal culture buttons, to proofreading and managing the printing, and hardest of all, assembling the finished product and getting it shipped off to our fulfillment center. And she claims to have had fun doing it!
The photos below prove that when you purchase Ecotonos you are getting hand-assembled, artisanal quality goods! 😉 Click on any image to view it larger or see a slideshow. Of course, Kathryn took the pictures, so you sadly don’t see her in any of these.
If you don’t use Ecotonos in your classes or trainings, you are missing out on an invaluable tool for developing cross-cultural teaming competence. The game can be reused for years and years; order yours today!
Cultural Detective Blog 
Ecotonos has always been a great tool and this revised look is beautiful. Your continue to “create” yourr way into cultural excellence. Thanks Dianne.
LikeLike
I am thrilled that so many people use the simulation in many creative and powerful ways, Donna. Our products are similar to children: after we launch them, they take on a life of their own. Love to you, girlfriend!
LikeLike
Dianne, I will be training a group Koreans who all hope to get assignments in the U.S. As a tool, how does this work with an all-Asian group?
LikeLike
Ecotonos is quite often played in many different countries in Asia. I heartily recommend it, Michelle. Please take pics if you can and let us know how it goes!
LikeLike
Wow! thanks for the speedy reply! Ok, next question – where can I get more information about the game? I need to understand the “objective,” how the game is played, etc.
LikeLike
Michelle, the objectives and method of play are described on the website where you order: http://www.culturaldetective.com/what/related-products.html
Hope that helps! If not please give us a call. Thanks!
LikeLike
Pingback: Study Supports Ecotonos’ Effectiveness | Cultural Detective Blog