What is a training simulation?
Simulations simplify real-world environments enough for people to practice skills quickly, safely, and in a way that makes the learning points obvious.
“As a learning modality, simulations are second only to ‘direct purposeful [real-world] experience.’” —Simonson, Smaldino, Albright & Zvacek, 2003
Any time that a teacher has a student perform a skill for practice, in an environment that is simpler and safer than the real world, or with practice materials, it is a simulation. When we simplify real life to make it easier to practice, it is a simulation. When a student can try out different solutions to an experiment, it is probably a simulation. Simulations allow us to imitate real life for the purposes of learning, but without the cost or consequences that failure might have in the real world. (Think of aircraft flight simulators… It’s a good thing that pilots can crash planes in the simulators, instead of wasting lives and millions of dollars on real-world training!)
What’s so special about simulations?
The ability to cut away unnecessary detail, complexity, and distractions is what makes simulations so effective as learning tools. It also makes them fun to use as trainers, because the feedback is immediate, learning points are obvious, and the activities can be as relevant and realistic as resources permit. Simulations can increase transfer, engagement, and motivation by 50% or more over traditional training methods (Personnel Decisions International, 2005). 5-Step Simulations™ show you how to understand, build, and use simulations to enhance your own training programs.
“Whether the experiences they provide are dramatized or contrived, instructional simulations can provide a qualitative, engaging environment representative of reality.” —Alessi & Trollip, 2001
Simulations that offer feedback (through facilitation or recording and playback capabilities) can help people gain important insights impossible through other learning methods. Objective feedback helps make the connection between action and result more clear and explicit for the learner. The learner can go back into the simulation to try again, armed with the insight provided by the feedback. By a process of experimentation, application of theoretical concepts to the simulated task environment, and feedback, the learner can make quick progress in skill development.
What makes a good simulation?
Simulations can be very effective learning strategies, and fun for the participants, too! What makes a simulation work? There are a few key principles to follow when selecting or designing a learning simulation.
1. Make the simulation feel like real work
2. Strip away excess complexity and focus on the key dynamic
3. Make the situations, choices, and outcomes believable
4. Allow choices to influence outcomes
5. Keep the rules in the background
The 5-Step Simulation™ method—and each of the reproducible, editable simulations—follows these core simulation principles. You really can make this follow a simple five step process! This makes for the most engaging, highest impact training available in a classroom setting.
How do I design a simulation?
Instructional design for simulations is even more of a balancing act than regular instructional design. There is the learning audience, the desired outcomes, the content, and the activities to consider, as usual. Additionally, the instructional designer has to consider the story, the specific challenges, the depth of detail and background material to include or remove, the desired realism, and the simulation delivery method. (For more on these elements of simulation design, see our blog.)
The Introduction to 5-Step Simulations™ mini-course (click on the course image, below) addresses some of the instructional design aspects of good learning simulations. Also, here are some resources that may be of use to instructional designers working with simulations:
How will simulations help me stretch my training budget?
If you are doing business training, chances are your budget is tight and you need to make the most of it. Simulations can help you get the most learning out of your limited time and resources by getting your students to “learn by doing.” The more that you can make your training environment feel like “real work,” the faster your learners will uncover the real lessons you have to offer. Whether you do technical skills, sales, customer service, business skills, or leadership training, simulations can give you more impact for your time and effort.
What can I do to make using simulations easier?
Simulations do not have to be expensive, and they do not have to be complex in order to be effective. 5-Step Simulations™ from LearningSim were developed specifically to give trainers maximum flexibility and ease of use. Every simulation follows the unique, research-based five step method. Once you understand the method, it will be easy for you to put simulations into your existing training programs. The 5-Step Simulation™ user licenses give you everything you need to edit and write your own simulations any time you want to do so!
Why don’t more trainers use training simulations?
Trainers are busy people. They only have so much time to spend on designing and preparing for training. Let’s face it—simulations take more work and skill to build than traditional training. Quite often, trainers who have the specialized skills don’t have the time or the budget to include simulations in all of their programs. At the same time, other trainers who would like to use simulations have not had the opportunity to learn how to write them or build them into their workshops.
Make it Easy with a 5-Step Simulation™ license!
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