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White paper

Simulations and e-learning

Sim city!

The most valuable lessons are those we learn from experience. However, this particular learning method can be long-winded, expensive and dangerous (as anybody who has ever learned to scuba dive can tell you). Simulations, on the other hand, provide experiential learning that is quick, cheap and safe.

From prehistoric cave paintings (which appear to have been used to instruct newbies in how to trap and kill animals) to modern flight simulators, simulations have been used to take the risk and potential waste of resources out of acquiring essential skills.

Yet in e-learning, simulations are still all too rare.

This has only partly to do with the limitations of web-based technology. The real restraints are our limited expectations and imagination. Which is not to say that simulations should be recommended for every learning problem, simply that they need to be considered more often.

This stimulating new white paper from Donald Clark, CEO of Epic Group plc, details the seven key types of simulation, explores the design implications of producing simulations and gives metrics for their evaluation - also detailing numerous case studies. Donald argues that if e-learning is to mature and motivate, it must embrace simulations as a potent and flexible tool for experiential learning.

White Paper: Simulations and e-learning

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Summary of contents:

  • Benefits of simulations
    • Why simulations can be the right solution
  • Types of learning simulation
    • Definition of 'e-learning simulations'
    • Real-time simulations
    • Episodic simulations
    • Deliverable simulations
    • Performance simulations
    • Software simulations
    • 'Collaborative' simulations
    • Mini-sims
  • Designing simulations
    • Simulations and games
    • Reality in simulations
    • Levels of fidelity
    • Narrative in simulations
  • Case Study
    • Fraud detection - A performance simulator
  • Case Study
    • Practical Recruitment and Selection - A performance simulator
  • Case Study
    • Siville - A language training simulator
  • Case Study
    • Making a commitment - An oil trading simulator
  • Case Study
    • Retail Outlet Safety - A safety simulator
  • Case Study
    • Gearboxes and engines - A fault-finding simulator
  • Case Study
    • Personal loans - A call centre simulator
  • Evaluation of simulation
    • Cost relative to training in actual environment
    • Evaluation of simulations
  • Conclusion
  • Epic Thought Leadership Programme

 

See also:
Other white papers

Case studies:
DWP

Book reviews:
Simulations and the future of e-learning - Clark Aldrich

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Downloads

Corporate brochure: E-Learning at Epic
Data sheets: Epic Consulting, Accessibility Lab, Arena, Blended Learning ROI Calculator (‘The Blender’), Epic P2P, Hosting, Thought Leadership Programme, Testing (x4)
White papers: Blended Learning, Blended Learning in Practice
Survey report: The Future of E-Learning

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