Simulations and the Future of Learning offers trainers and educators the information and perspective they need to understand, design, build, and deploy computer simulations for this generation. Looking back on his recent first-hand experience as lead designer for an advanced leadership development simulation, author Clark Aldrich has created a detailed case study of the creation and deployment of an e-learning simulation that had the development cycle of a modern computer game. With this book Aldrich, a leader in the e-learning field, has created an intriguing roadmap for the future of learning while taking us along on an entertaining rollercoaster ride of trial and error, success and failure. Simulations and the Future of Learning outlines the design principles and critical decisions around any simulation's components— the interface, the physics and animation systems, the artificial intelligence, and sets and figures. Using this accessible resource, readers will learn how to create and evaluate successful simulations that have the following characteristics: authentic and relevant scenarios; applied pressure situations that tap user's emotion and force them to act; a sense of unrestricted options; and replayability.

Drawing on decades of industrial experience, this insightful and practical guide uses case studies and an interdisciplinary perspective to explain the fundamentals of simulation training to improve performance of high-risk professional activities. It seeks to identify those conditions under which simulation training has been shown to improve professional practice while employing extensive real examples. Simulation Training: Fundamentals and Application helps readers to develop their own synthesis of the simulation learning method and to use such training to enhance their skills and performance. Case studies demonstrate five specific theatres of professional practice - the nuclear-power industry, aeronautics, surgery, anesthesia and metallurgy – and then detailed analysis highlights the common factors and key results. The author’s background as a Human Factors Consultant, Physicist and Physiologist has enriched studies of humans in work situations, work organization and management and he has also been involved in pedagogical conception of experimental training on simulators based on his experience as a safety expert on nuclear power plant. The book is useful to practitioners, researchers and students, both in industry and in university. It is clearly cross disciplinary as it presents and discusses applications in engineering, professional practice (airline pilots) and medicine.

Simulation and game-based learning are essential applications in a learning environment as they provide learners an opportunity to apply the course material in real-life scenarios. Introducing real-life learning allows the learner to make critical decisions at different points within the simulation providing constructive education that leads to a cognitive understanding of the material. The use of simulations provides the learner with the ability to cognitively store and recall learning in real-life experiences. Therefore, it is crucial to not only provide course material but to have students apply what they have learned in simulations that replicate real-life scenarios. These learned skills are essential for students to be marketable and thrive in a career field where decision making, problem solving, and critical thinking are job requirements. Simulation and Game-Based Learning in Emergency and Disaster Management is a cutting-edge research book that examines the best practices and holistic development when it comes to simulation learning within emergency and disaster management as well as global security. Drawing upon the neuroscience of learning, classroom instruction can be enhanced to incorporate active-experiential learning activities that positively impact a learner with long-term information retention. Each simulation project is carried out in different environments, with different goals in mind, and developed under various constraints. For these reasons, this book will provide insight into the simulation planning and development process, provide examples of online simulations and game-based learning activities, and provide insight on simulation development and implementation that can be used across disciplines in educational and training settings. As such, it is ideal for academicians, instructional designers, curriculum designers, education professionals, researchers, and students.

This book includes more than twenty computer games and simulations for use in teacher training. Each of these simulations is innovative and presents an opportunity for pre-service teachers to have hands-on experience in an area of need prior to teaching in the classroom. Information on the simulation origins, including theoretical underpinnings, goals, characteristics, relevant research/program evaluation results, discussion of benefits and limitations as well as dissemination, recommended use, scope of practice, etc. of each game or simulation are included. Pre-service and new teachers will gain a number of useful skills through completion of these simulations and higher education faculty and administrators will gain a plethora of research-based and effective training tools for use in their teacher training programs.

Designed for learning professionals and drawing on both game creators and instructional designers, Learning by Doing explains how to select, research, build, sell, deploy, and measure the right type of educational simulation for the right situation. It covers simple approaches that use basic or no technology through projects on the scale of computer games and flight simulators. The book role models content as well, written accessibly with humor, precision, interactivity, and lots of pictures. Many will also find it a useful tool to improve communication between themselves and their customers, employees, sponsors, and colleagues. As John Coné, former chief learning officer of Dell Computers, suggests, “Anyone who wants to lead or even succeed in our profession would do well to read this book.”

Learning is at its best when it is goal-oriented, contextual, interesting, challenging, and interactive. These same winning characteristics also define the best computer games, which suggests that the most effective learning experiences are also engaging. Learning can and should be hard fun! The challenge is to get in touch with what it takes to design learning experiences that will excite your audience. Engaging Learning offers a much-needed guide for training professionals who want to create learning programs that are both effective and engaging. Clark N. Quinn Learning, a system designer, presents a unique framework for systematically aligning the key elements of learning and engagement with a proven design process for e-learning games. This nuts-and-bolts guide, which is both research-based and grounded in experience, offers the tools needed to transform learning experiences from humdrum to fun.

This book is written for teacher educators who are looking for strategies to teach a foreign or second language in a more meaningful way whilst applying active methodologies to develop critical thinking skills. The book is designed to guide the readers through a series of simulations that provide challenging learning opportunities, similar to the ones experienced in real life, whereby each simulation is designed to support participants' language and critical thinking skills and their abilities as future teachers. The book first introduces the concept of simulations in education. Then it provides examples of fully developed simulations and instructions for their implementation, a template for the readers to create their own simulations, as well as suggestions for peer classroom observation and professional development. Finally, three case studies exploring student learning through simulations are presented. This book is a useful teaching resource for teacher instructors, English as a Second Language/English as a Foreign Language students, secondary school teachers and for language institutions.

"Not only did I learn more substantive law than in any other course I've taken, but I learned why I needed to learn all those things." Alumnus of a legal simulation courseSimulations create and use a complete environment within which students can interact to apply theory and practice skills to real-world issues related to their discipline. Simulations constitute a powerful tool for learning. They allow teachers simultaneously to integrate multiple teaching objectives in a single process. They motivate students, provide opportunities for active participation to promote deep learning, develop interactive and communication skills, and link knowledge and theory to application.This book provides an introduction to the use of simulations - from creating simple scenarios that can be completed in a single class period, to extended, complex simulations that may encompass a semester's curriculum. Assuming no prior experience in their use, the authors provide a recipe approach to selecting and designing scenarios for all sizes of class; offer guidance on creating simulated environments to meet learning objectives; and practical advice on managing the process in the classroom through to the crucial processes of debriefing and assessment. The detailed concluding description of how to plan and manage a complex simulation -- complete with its sample scenario and examples of documentation - provides a rich demonstration of the process. This book will appeal to anyone, in virtually any field of study, looking for effective ways to bridge the gap between academic learning and discipline-specific practice.

At a time when scientific and technological competence is vital to the nation's future, the weak performance of U.S. students in science reflects the uneven quality of current science education. Although young children come to school with innate curiosity and intuitive ideas about the world around them, science classes rarely tap this potential. Many experts have called for a new approach to science education, based on recent and ongoing research on teaching and learning. In this approach, simulations and games could play a significant role by addressing many goals and mechanisms for learning science: the motivation to learn science, conceptual understanding, science process skills, understanding of the nature of science, scientific discourse and argumentation, and identification with science and science learning. To explore this potential, Learning Science: Computer Games, Simulations, and Education, reviews the available research on learning science through interaction with digital simulations and games. It considers the potential of digital games and simulations to contribute to learning science in schools, in informal out-of-school settings, and everyday life. The book also identifies the areas in which more research and research-based development is needed to fully capitalize on this potential. Learning Science will guide academic researchers; developers, publishers, and entrepreneurs from the digital simulation and gaming community; and education practitioners and policy makers toward the formation of research and development partnerships that will facilitate rich intellectual collaboration. Industry, government agencies and foundations will play a significant role through start-up and ongoing support to ensure that digital games and simulations will not only excite and entertain, but also motivate and educate.

If you find traditional lectures and course material ineffective for teaching students how to develop a sensitivity to cultural differences and apply “home grown” technologies to foreign situations, Business Simulations, Games and Experiential Learning in International Business Education is the guide to help you remedy this predicament! Helpful and easy-to-use, this text teaches you how to use computer-based games and experiential learning exercises to teach international business. You’ll learn how to place students in realistic situations where they can experiment with new behaviors and receive immediate, constructive feedback and then take what they have learned beyond the classroom. Business Simulations, Games and Experiential Learning in International Business Education helps you introduce students to global competition and business cultures as you explore important ethical, political, and social issues with them. You can better prepare your students for the challenges of international business if you pay particular attention to the book’s discussions of: different levels of power-sharing alternatives to traditional international business course materials and methods changing the norms and behaviors of organizations and institutions the role gender plays in effective gaming environments simulating a European Works Council within a classroom environment promoting decisionmaking and flexibility in management style understanding business rules and regulations of different countries Academics teaching and researching in international business will find Business Simulations, Games and Experiential Learning in International Business Education an immensely useful tool as you struggle with the challenges of readying students for the international work environment. As you know, it is not enough that students be schooled in the latest developments and technologies. Use this book’s games and learning techniques to emphasize to your students that international businessmen and women must not only know their field, but also be respectful of others’cultures and values, be linguistically flexible, and be aware of foreign business rules and regulations.