“Simulation is a critical piece of the escalation path students take in their learning, from concepts and theory to application in a workplace setting.”
Simulations:
- create a place where students can work with a variety of different cases, equipment, and people, which might not be possible in either the learning environment or the real world
- provide a safe and repeatable environment where students can make mistakes that may be risky in the real workplace
- let students apply their theoretical learning to real-life scenarios under controlled conditions and within controlled environments
Simulations range from basic text-based case studies to very elaborate virtual environments. The key to successfully integrating simulations into the classroom is identifying the appropriate type of simulation to ensure that learners meet their learning objectives.
Creating a good simulation also involves assessing resources, timelines and workloads, as some forms of simulation can be costly.