Using Journals to Enhance Computer Simulation Based Learning

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a three year experiment using student journals as a means for weekly debriefing in a simulation based graduate marketing class. The journals provided a rich, productive and individualistic debriefing methodology; they also produced two unanticipated benefits. First the journals provided relatively unambiguous feedback about what students were learning from the simulation; this was not always what was expected or anticipated. Second, the journals provided an excellent vehicle for clarifying and more effectively – if not efficiently – addressing learning outcomes.