Educational Simulation"When students are given an affective outlet in which their feelings are aroused to stimulate learning, we are increasing their opportunities to learn cognitively as well". "Simulations deliver variety to instruction and keep students engaged to the point that discipline is rarely an issue."
Definitions Simulation- Is the imitation of the operation of a real-world process or system over time. The act of simulating something first requires that a model be developed; this model represents the key characteristics or behaviors/functions of the selected physical or abstract system or process. Educational Simulation- When students use a model of behavior to acquire a better understanding of that behavior, they are doing a simulation. What Do Students Accomplish? 1. Students take roles which are representative of the real world and involve them making decisions in response to their assessment of the situation that they have been placed in. 2. Students experience simulated consequences which relate to their decisions and their general performance in the simulation. 3. Students monitor the results of their actions and are encouraged to reflect upon the relationship between their own decisions and the resulting consequences of their actions. Why are simulations valuable to learning? 1. They are usually problem-based and are therefore helpful in the development of long-term learning. 2. They normally involve the use of social skills which are directly relevant to the world outside the classroom. 3. Simulations deal with situations that change and therefore demand flexibility in thinking. From the beginning, educational simulation was awesome...
If you were born before 1985, then you instantly identified the above images are from The Oregon Trail. Educational simulation has come a long way since The Oregon Trail.
Click on the images below to check out more recent simulation games: The simulation images above represent games that simulate viruses, ecology, dissection, Mesopotamia, colonial life from multiple perspectives, and running a city. Click here to check out an extensive list of simulation games.
Simulations Will Catch the Attention of Every Student!References
1. 50 Great Sites for Serious, Educational Games. (2009). Retrieved January 22, 2016, from http://www.onlinecolleges.net/50-great-sites-for-serious-educational-games/ 2. Carleton College: A Leading Liberal Arts College in Northfield, Minnesota. (n.d.). Retrieved January 19, 2016, from http://www.carleton.edu/ 3. Educational Simulations. (n.d.). Retrieved January 18, 2016, from http://www.creativeteachingsite.com/edusims.html 4. Edutopia. (n.d.). Retrieved January 19, 2016, from http://www.edutopia.org/ 5. Elementary School. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2016, from http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/by-level/elementary-school 6. Online Classroom Simulation Games in Science, Math and Social Studies. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2016, from http://www.brighthubeducation.com/teaching-elementary-school/111095-online-classroom-simulation-games/ 7. Simulations Engage Students in Active Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2016, from http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr391.shtml#sthash.FhHGygfa.dpuf |