The University of Western Australia

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Alternative Modes of Teaching and Learning

Alternative modes to delivery

Simulations

Definition

...techniques which aim to provide the student with ... a highly simplified reproduction of part of a real or imaginary world.
Many simulations involve students in making decisions and communicating or negotiating with one another. The students provide the human element in the system that is being studied and they are expected to react to the situation in a way that will be determined by how they and the other participants see their relative position, motivations and attitudes - in other words how they see their role within the system. Role-play is the name given to one particular type of simulation that focuses attention on the interaction of people with one another. It emphasizes the functions performed by different people under various circumstances.

van Ments, M., The Effective Use of Role Play: A Handbook for Teachers & Trainers. Revised ed. 1989, New York: Nichols Publishing. 186.

In both,(simulations/games) the aim is to recreate or represent in a limited time in the classroom particular situations which exist in the world outside. They may have a competitive element and may be based on someone's model of the way factors interact in everyday settings. Economics or business games are a good example of this kind, often using a computer program which incorporates the model on which the simulation is based. Alternatively, simulations can be free of any underlying model or framework. .... In either type, the purpose is to learn from the consequences of decisions and choices made within the exercise and to gain understandings which can be useful in the workplace.

Reynolds, M. (1994) Groupwork in Education and Training Ideas in Practice, London: Kogan Page, pp18-19.

Advantages

  • Provides a 'safe', virtual environment in which students can explore the impact of decisions made and actions taken whithout 'real-world'
  • Engages students actively in learning process
  • Contextualises and facilitates integration of theory and practice

Disadvantages

  • Not all students will find the 'situations' plausible or meaningful
  • Can lead to real-life consequences in terms of group dynamics and personal confidence

Resources and References

Education Uses of Information Technology

http://www.scs.ryerson.ca/dmason/common/euit.html

First Monday - WebQuest: Using WWW & Interactive Simulation Games in the Classroom

http://www.firstmonday.dk/issues/issue5/perrone/index.html

Gateway to Harvard Business School Publishing

http://www.hbsp.com/

March 1995 / Cover Story / New Ways to Learn
Changing Educational Paradigms

http://www.byte.com/art/9503/sec7/art1.htm#paradigm

Middle East Politics Simulation

http://hardy.ocs.mq.edu.au/~control1/

Peter Brecke: Global Modeling Research
International Affairs

http://www.inta.gatech.edu/peter/globmod.html

WebEc - WWW Resources in Economics

http://www.helsinki.fi/WebEc/

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