Simulations mimic real systems that allow students to explore, experience, and learn from what is expected to happen in reality. They contain imitated situations in which students can apply practice necessary skills by applying knowledge repeatedly to the model with the assistance and feedback provided by teachers in the process. It creates an experimental learning environment which is more interactive, dynamic, engaging and entertaining.
Implementation
To ensure effective simulations, Klugiewicz & Monreal (2005) suggest the following ways:
Need assessment: Instructors should first identify the needs of their students before implementing a simulation exercise for them.
Creating the Simulation Format: Instructor should provide participants with a written simulation worksheet to inform them the purpose of the simulation.
Designing the Simulation: Careful design of simulation exercises is necessary. Otherwise, it may lead to training injuries, poor training results and the possibility of failure-to-train allegations. The training for a simulation should be developed using the following six steps:
A. Develop the simulation;
B. Choreograph the simulation;
C. Rehearse the simulation;
D. Implement the simulation;
E. Debrief the simulation; and
F. Evaluate the simulation.
Training and Controlling Demonstrators: Demonstrators should be given specific oral and written guidelines on what they should and should not do during the demonstration. It is unlikely that an untrained, unsupervised role player will be able to remember all the ultimate goals and demonstrate the key items of a training session in front of an audience without planning or practices.
Providing the Training: During a simulation, instructors should provide students with a positive learning experience. For instance, they should explain their expectations to students and what they can achieve from the simulation. They should enable a fair and achievable scenario, and debrief students in a positive way after the session. Your simulation training should include the following parts:
A. Conduct an initial wellness check (if needed);
B. Explain the training safety rules;
C. Conduct a physical warm-up (if needed);
D. Explain the simulation drill’s format;
E. Conduct the simulation drill;
F. Conduct a debriefing session; and
G. Conduct a current wellness check (if needed).
Equipment & Safety Procedures: Make sure to check on participants’ well-being (if needed), and to provide safety rules and training procedures to participants as necessary. The development of appropriate safety procedures, recruitment of well-trained officers and the provision of training in relation to rules and regulations are all essential to ensure a smooth and safe simulation.
The Debrief: Debriefing serves as a platform for teachers to comment constructively on student performance. Teachers should conduct debriefing sessions in a positive manner. Moreover, peer support can also be useful in reinforcing a pleasurable environment for evaluation. It is also beneficial for participants to be able to review a videotape of the simulation.
Simulations in medical training. The Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care at CUHK has adopted a simulator-based experiential learning package to teach medical students or junior doctors various ways to manage acute illnesses. Each medical student is given the chance to manage an acute illness in the simulation. Read the website here for more information: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/med/ans/ICU.htm
Computer simulations in business decision-making.
Business simulations enable students to experiment with business strategies in a virtual environment that reflects the interactions between different actors in a business environment at minimal cost. In this simulation, participants were asked to make various managerial decisions in an attempt to resolve a series of organisational problems. The computer system generated results that revealed whether or not a decision was appropriate. Students had to make further decisions based on what they had decided in the early stage of a simulation. Read the details of the game here:
Mock trading. The School of Business of Howard University organized an online stock trading competition for its students to experience performing transactions over a virtual platform, which operated as if they were trading in the real market. For more information, please click onto the following link: http://howard.stocktrak.com/home.aspx
Simulations in medical training.