Games, simulations and modelling provide situations in which students essentially undertake mathematical activity for some other purpose.
In games there is often some competitive element around reaching a goal of some kind. Simulation involves using mathematical means to replicate some phenomenon in order to reach an appreciation of that phenomenon (eg simulating payment strategies for a loan and investigating interest paid).
Modelling is the process of using a mathematical formulation of a real world situation to reach some conclusions about the situation (eg to determine the size of a rainwater tank to effectively capture the runoff from a roof). Teachers use games, simulation and modelling to motivate and engage students and, in the case of the last two, to establish the usefulness of mathematics for students.
