Ultimately, the students learned the wrong lesson from an unrealistic game.

Alternately, they learned more about finding the balance between maintaining peer alliances and gaining the favour of the ruler (guessing the teacher's password). This is the very essence of the courtier. Even if the students don't fully comprehend that message I am confident that their intuitions are lapping it up.

On a note more explicitly related to economics they gained insight into using anti-competitive practices needed to get ahead (in this case public shaming) while avoiding crossing the line that triggers adverse social sanction (professorial intervention.)

Whichever way you look at it, Ashley won this game. Of course, many other students with less aggressive or less aware professors have lost by taking the same actions. Including some in classes which I have attended!