Students' Perceptions of Learning by Simulation

Abstract

"This panel presents and summarizes comments by college seniors and MBA students who nave participated in simulation the business policy courses at Wright State University over the past eight years. More than 1,500 students have completed questionnaires that asked them to comment on simulation as a learning technique. From these comments, we can understand how Students perceive simulation and what they learned from it. Comments on the questionnaire fell into five categories 1. The individual’s feelings about his/her simulation experience. 2. Criticism of the simulator (model). 3. Criticism of game administration. 4. Comparison of simulation with other learning techniques. 5. Evaluation of simulation as a learning experience. In assessing the value of a learning technique, students’ opinions should not be overlooked. This study indicates that nearly 78% of the students who experience simulation in the policy course find it enjoyable. They are motivated to work on it harder than on most exercises. They were aware of shortcomings in the models and the way the games were administered. This feedback was very helpful to the instructor in correcting the approach for succeeding classes. They felt that simulation was superior to other techniques, specifically to cases and text-lectures, for learning in the policy course. Although a few disagreed, most students (94%) believed simulation was a positive learning experience. Specifically, it taught them: To be future-oriented; to think ahead. To understand the importance of other disciplines. To think before acting. To get an idea of how managing a complex organization feels. To work with others as a team. To organize decisions so they make sense. To look for results as a measure of success. "