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Despite simulation games (SGs) being a novel pedagogical tool that can soundly represent real environments to enhance students 'learning outcomes, knowledge, and skills, there is still a lack of an overview of the current theoretical understanding of using simulation games as a pedagogical method to develop K-12 learning outcomes. Taking an explanatory perspective, we examined the recent empirical studies in simulation games through a systematic search method following the PRISMA guidelines, and then discussed the benefits, limitations, and recommendations of using simulation games in K-12 education during the period of 2016 and continued to 2021 via six databases: Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, ERC, ERIC, IEEE. Twenty-four papers were identified as the result of the data extraction process. We identified the benefits and limitations of implementing learning games in k-12 education. Findings revealed that simulation games used as teaching tools could develop student learning outcomes across the different subjects owing to features such as learners' engagement and motivation, a safe interactive environment, and increased academic performance and achievements. An important avenue for future research is to examine a new insights into and practical advice on the meaningful inclusion of simulation games in K-12 education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Educational institutions are exploring innovative teaching methods due to evolving technology and market demands. Among these methods, simulation games are becoming popular for their potential to enhance learning. However, their effectiveness in developing students' business skills remains underexplored. This study analyses the relationship between simulation game mechanisms, motivation. understanding of theoretical concepts, and their impact on students' business skills development. Empirical research was conducted on engineering students enrolled in the Strategic Management course at the University of Belgrade - Faculty of Organizational Sciences. which included a simulation game component. Out of the 127 engineering students enrolled in the simulation game, 113 participated in the research (88.97%). Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to assess hypotheses. Results show that while the game mechanism has limited direct impact on business skills development, it significantly enhances student motivation and comprehension of theoretical concepts. Furthermore, motivation and understanding of theoretical concepts are found to be critical for developing business skills. These findings provide valuable insights for educators and higher education institutions aiming to integrate modern and effective teaching methods to develop skills that meet labour market demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to describe the fundamentals of teaching risk management in a classroom setting, with an emphasis on the learning interface between higher education and the workplace environment for business management students. Design/methodology/approach: The study reviews literature that uses spreadsheets to visualize and model risk and uncertainty. Using six distinct case-based activities (CBAs), the study illustrates the practical applications of software like Palisade @RISK in risk management education. It helps to close the gap between theory and practice. The software assists in estimating the likelihood of a risk event and the impact or repercussions it will have if it occurs. This technique of risk analysis makes it possible to identify the risks that need the most active control. Findings: @RISK can be used to create models that produce results to demonstrate every potential scenario outcome. When faced with a choice or analysis that involves uncertainty, @RISK can be utilized to enhance the perspective of what the future might contain. Originality/value: The insights from this study can be used to develop critical thinking, independent thinking, problem-solving and other important skills in learners. Further, educators can apply Bloom's taxonomy and the problem-solving taxonomy to help students make informed decisions in risky situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study determined the relative effectiveness of simulation games, blended learning, and interactive multimedia in enhancing learning outcomes in Basic Science of pupils with varying abilities, with a view to providing information on the most effective strategy for instructing Basic Science among pupils with varying abilities. Children should be exposed to and commence learning science at a young age because science and technology are the dynamic forces behind present socioeconomic progress. The research design employed was a quasi-experimental research design. The experiment was conducted in six schools, and two schools were used as the control group. The analysis used descriptive and inferential statistics. Permission was sought from the Local Government Education Authorities (LGEA) to use the schools in their jurisdictions for the experiment. Participants were given a consent form for their parents. Pseudonyms were used to replace participants' names. The findings indicate that interactive multimedia is more effective with pupils in mainstream schools, whereas blended learning proves more effective for pupils in special schools. These findings imply that teachers should employ strategies to captivate and maintain attention while teaching Basic Science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA) is considered a central affective factor influencing English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning. This study thus developed an online simulation game to create a virtually situated learning environment for reducing EFL primary school students' FLA levels and improving their English vocabulary learning. A total of 110 fifth graders from four classes participated in this study. Two classes were randomly assigned to the experimental group (N = 57) using the online simulation game, and the other two classes were the control group (N = 53) using onsite instruction. Each participant was then classified as a low, moderate, or high anxiety student based on the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS). This study found that, compared to the onsite instruction, the online simulation game more effectively assisted the low, moderate, and high anxiety students in reducing their FLA. Situated learning in the online simulation game made a connection between English vocabulary learning and the real world explicitly and visibly, which could further promote their English vocabulary learning. In particular, the moderate and high anxiety students' English vocabulary learning was significantly improved after the online simulation game. These results suggest that an online simulation game can create a situated learning environment that helps reduce EFL students' FLA and subsequently facilitate their English vocabulary learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex microgrid structures and time-varying conditions, among other factors, cause problems in the mechanical modeling of microgrids, making model-based controller optimization difficult. Therefore, this study proposed a secondary frequency adaptive control strategy based on parameter identification, which uses an online parameter identification method to identify the parameters in the microgrid in real-time. The identified parameters are then used in the secondary frequency adaptive controller to optimize the real-time controller performance. The proposed method realizes adaptive optimization of the controller in the microgrid operation state and is applied to a microgrid with unknown parameters to adjust the controller parameters. Finally, a simulation experiment was conducted to verify the model accuracy and the frequency regulation effect of the proposed adaptive control strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Science educators around the world have recognised that difference in performance exists between male and female students in chemistry and there have been several efforts and interventions through research and workshops to bridge this gap. Owing to the current growth of the effects of the use of computer simulations on students' performance in science in the literature, this study investigated if the use of computer simulation as an intervention would enhance the performance of female students relative to males in senior school chemistry in Ado-Odo-Ota, Nigeria. A total of 83 chemistry students in senior secondary year two (SS2) comprising 51 females and 32 males participated in the study. The average age of the students was 14 years. The research design was quasi-experimental (a pre-test post-test non-equivalent group) design. The instrument used to gather data was the electrolysis and electroplating achievement test (EEPAT) which had a reliability coefficient of 0.76. The experimental group was taught with the aid of computer simulation while the control group was taught with the traditional lecture method. The data (pre-test and post-test scores) collected were analysed using ancova since the participants were not randomly assigned to the groups. The study found no statistically significant difference between the performance of the male and female students [F(1,41) =.04; p >.05]. While there was a statistically significant main effect of treatment on the students' performance, the interaction effect of gender and treatment did not attain statistical significance. Hence, the study concluded that the use of computer simulation can help bridge the gap between male and female students' performance in chemistry and overall, boost the performance of the students. Recommendations which concern the government, school owners and chemistry teachers for the implementation of the findings of this study and further research were made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First-generation and working-class (FGWC) students bring a different set of life experiences to the classroom than students of privilege. As an instructor from an FGWC background, I use the poverty simulation game Spent! to make economic stratification understandable to students who have led lives of economic privilege and bring FGWC representation to the classroom in a way that honors their unique cultural capital. Despite a tendency toward consciousness raising for students of privilege, poverty simulation can still be a liberatory learning exercise for FGWC students when the cultural capital they bring to the classroom from their lived experience is valued and honored during the activity rather than objectified and subordinated. During the activity, as privileged students express shock at the realities of living paycheck to paycheck, FGWC students confidently share their situated knowledge of poverty. Building on prior assessments of the value of simulation games in the classroom, this article expands this knowledge by specifically looking at the experiences of FGWC students in addition to their more privileged peers in the context of Spent! [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The notions of mental simulation and self-reflection have become established in neuroscience. Numerous line of research suggest that mental simulation and self reflection promote enhanced learning in general, specifically foreign languages. Our study explores and discusses these notions for their deeper understanding. The research encompasses smooth simulation with negative outcome and challenging simulation with positive outcome. The paper demonstrates mental simulation self-reflection tasks in correlation with cognitive skill planning. They are embedded within such specific conditions for inducing exploratory behavior as error-approach instruction, tasks with complex and dynamic decision-making characteristics, specific stimulus information (what, when, where) in life situations and peer feedback. The following methods have been used: theoretical methods (analysis, interpretation and generalization), empirical methods (observation). The author provides an example of mental simulation self-reflection tasks with and without problem-solving case study within conditions for exploratory behavior for the topic "Planning a trip to Canada". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Game‐based learning environments hold significant promise for facilitating learning experiences that are both effective and engaging. To support individualised learning and support proactive scaffolding when students are struggling, game‐based learning environments should be able to accurately predict student knowledge at early points in students' gameplay. Student knowledge is traditionally assessed prior to and after each student interacts with the learning environment with conventional methods, such as multiple choice content knowledge assessments. While previous student modelling approaches have leveraged machine learning to automatically infer students' knowledge, there is limited work that incorporates the fine‐grained content from each question in these types of tests into student models that predict student performance at early junctures in gameplay episodes. This work investigates a predictive student modelling approach that leverages the natural language text of the post‐gameplay content knowledge questions and the text of the possible answer choices for early prediction of fine‐grained individual student performance in game‐based learning environments. With data from a study involving 66 undergraduate students from a large public university interacting with a game‐based learning environment for microbiology, Crystal Island, we investigate the accuracy and early prediction capacity of student models that use a combination of gameplay features extracted from student log files as well as distributed representations of post‐test content assessment questions. The results demonstrate that by incorporating knowledge about assessment questions, early prediction models are able to outperform competing baselines that only use student game trace data with no question‐related information. Furthermore, this approach achieves high generalisation, including predicting the performance of students on unseen questions. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic A distinctive characteristic of game‐based learning environments is their capacity to enable fine‐grained student assessment.Adaptive game‐based learning environments offer individualisation based on specific student needs and should be able to assess student competencies using early prediction models of those competencies.Word embedding approaches from the field of natural language processing show great promise in the ability to encode semantic information that can be leveraged by predictive student models.What this paper adds Investigates word embeddings of assessment question content for reliable early prediction of student performance.Demonstrates the efficacy of distributed word embeddings of assessment questions when used by early prediction models compared to models that use either no assessment information or discrete representations of the questions.Demonstrates the efficacy and generalisability of word embeddings of assessment questions for predicting the performance of both new students on existing questions and existing students on new questions.Implications for practice and/or policy Word embeddings of assessment questions can enhance early prediction models of student knowledge, which can drive adaptive feedback to students who interact with game‐based learning environments.Practitioners should determine if new assessment questions will be developed for their game‐based learning environment, and if so, consider using our student modelling framework that incorporates early prediction models pretrained with existing student responses to previous assessment questions and is generalisable to the new assessment questions by leveraging distributed word embedding techniques.Researchers should consider the most appropriate way to encode the assessment questions in ways that early prediction models are able to infer relationships between the questions and gameplay behaviour to make accurate predictions of student competencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on a trace‐based assessment of approaches to learning used by middle school aged children who interacted with NASA Mars Mission science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) games in Whyville, an online game environment with 8 million registered young learners. The learning objectives of two games included awareness and knowledge of NASA missions, developing knowledge and skills of measurement and scaling, applying measurement for planetary comparisons in the solar system. Trace data from 1361 interactions were analysed with nonparametric multidimensional scaling methods, which permitted visual examination and statistical validation, and provided an example and proof of concept for the multidimensional scaling approach to analysis of time‐based behavioural data from a game or simulation. Differences in approach to learning were found illustrating the potential value of the methodology to curriculum and game‐based learning designers as well as other creators of online STEM content for pre‐college youth. The theoretical framework of the method and analysis makes use of the Epistemic Network Analysis toolkit as a post hoc data exploration platform, and the discussion centres on issues of semantic interpretation of interaction end‐states and the application of evidence centred design in post hoc analysis. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic Educational game play has been demonstrated to positively affect learning performance and learning persistence.Trace‐based assessment from digital learning environments can focus on learning outcomes and processes drawn from user behaviour and contextual data.Existing approaches used in learning analytics do not (fully) meet criteria commonly used in psychometrics or for different forms of validity in assessment, even though some consider learning analytics a form of assessment in the broadest sense.Frameworks of knowledge representation in trace‐based research often include concepts from cognitive psychology, education and cognitive science.What this paper adds To assess skills‐in‐action, stronger connections of learning analytics with educational measurement can include parametric and nonparametric statistics integrated with theory‐driven modelling and semantic network analysis approaches widening the basis for inferences, validity, meaning and understanding from digital traces.An expanded methodological foundation is offered for analysis in which nonparametric multidimensional scaling, multimodal analysis, epistemic network analysis and evidence‐centred design are combined.Implications for practice and policy The new foundations are suggested as a principled, theory‐driven, embedded data collection and analysis framework that provides structure for reverse engineering of semantics as well as pre‐planning frameworks that support creative freedom in the processes of creation of digital learning environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulation games are widely used to teach negotiation skills in political science education. However, existing studies focus on the impact of simulation games on students' knowledge gains and affective changes and largely ignore skill assessment and development in the gaming environment. This study aimed to understand the process of student groups practicing negotiation skills in a collaborative simulation game through social network analysis (SNA). We proposed a conceptual framework to assess negotiation skills by identifying different negotiation skillsets based on participatory roles in collaborative learning, investigated the skill development through the change of the skillsets over time, and examined the relationship between the negotiation skillsets and achievement. The results showed that the majority of student groups practiced more complex negotiation skillsets towards the end of the game, and the complexity of skillsets was positively related to the negotiation outcomes in the simulation game. The study demonstrated the possibilities of using SNA as an analytical tool to measure negotiation skills and explore dynamic skill development in a collaborative simulation game. It has also shown the potential of integrating SNA in a collaborative gaming environment for automated analysis of a large volume of data concerning interactions. Practitioner notes: What is already known about this topic Simulation games are widely used to teach negotiation skills in political science education to improve the connection between theoretical knowledge and skill practice.Existing studies focus on the impact of simulation games on learners' knowledge gains and affective changes but ignore the skill assessment and development in the gaming environment, especially in the collaborative simulated gaming environment. What this paper adds The study investigated the process of student groups practicing negotiation skills in a collaborative simulation game through Social Network Analysis (SNA).We proposed a novel conceptual framework to measure negotiation skills by identifying different negotiation skillsets through connecting them to learners' participatory roles that emerged during the collaborative gameplay.The study demonstrated learners' dynamic and evolutionary process of practicing negotiation skills in the game.The results showed that there was a positive relationship between the complexity of negotiation skillsets and negotiation outcomes in the game. Implications for practice and/or policy The study demonstrates the possibilities of using SNA as an analytical tool to measure negotiation skills and explore dynamic skill development in a collaborative gaming environment.The results can guide teachers to identify risky game moves and students in need and provide personalized feedback to help improve students' negotiation skills.The findings can help teachers optimize the game design to ensure students' equal and active participation in the game.The study highlights the potential of integrating SNA in collaborative gaming environments for automated analysis of a large volume of data concerning interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transgender individuals are at risk for discrimination, which can lead to poor mental health outcomes. Social workers are often the health professionals to provide assistance during periods of transition. Social work education programs use simulation-based learning experiences to train students to think independently and respond empathically to clients. Nineteen undergraduate social work students participated in a dyadic simulation with transgender individuals and their cisgender parents, and they received lower performance scores compared to a similar group of students engaged in a simulation with bisexual child and parent dyads. This paper presents research findings and makes recommendations for simulation preparation activities to better prepare novice social workers for direct practice with transgender children and their parents. We conducted this simulation study at a private university in the United States of America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Statecraft IR simulation has received a significant amount of attention in the pedagogical literature. Some instructors have asserted that Statecraft is biased toward the behavior and learning goals of realism, calling into question the utility of the simulation as a teaching tool. Using thirteen iterations of the simulation we empirically evaluate the number of points earned by each team, grouped on a scale of realist-idealist ideology. Our results show no statistical difference between realist and idealist groups in total number of award points or any specific award goal. Rather, we find Statecraft is a versatile simulation that allows instructors to emphasize and students to pursue both realist and idealist objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International relations is often confusing for students. IR theories are introduced as parsimonious and elegant and then systematically challenged as students learn more about detailed events. There are rules, there are norms, and states follow them until they don't. East Asia increases these challenges because it often undermines IR theory. Simulations can provide a key means of grounding students studying international relations because they apply IR theory to real-world examples—something especially important in a large lecture course. While simulations are effective tools, they often rely on strong institutional arrangements around which the rules of simulations are based. This presents a challenge for studying foreign relations in regions like East Asia, which have weaker multilateral institutions and thus no obvious template for a simulation. To overcome the challenges of weak institutionalization and subject-matter difficulty, we present two alternative models of simulations tested in a large lecture course on transpacific relations. The consensus model simulates what an international summit looks like in a weakly institutionalized environment maximizing the realism of the experience for students. The cooperation model captures the motivations of states to seek international cooperation despite the complications faced in international relations, maximizing the spirit of urgency that animates weakly institutionalized environments. We provide detailed instructions and materials to adapt these models to similar courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A substantial body of literature has well-documented and demonstrated the potential of using three-dimensional (3D) virtual worlds (VWs) across various learning subjects and contexts in primary and secondary (K-12) education. However, little is known when it comes to issues related to child-interaction research and the impact that design decisions have on the user experience (UX), especially when game-based learning approaches are employed in 3DVWs. Hence, in this systematic literature review, we appraise and summarize the most relevant research articles (n = 30) conducted in K-12 settings, published between 2006-2020 and that elicit information related to (a) the interaction design (ID) of game events and trends associated with game elements and features that were utilized for the development and creation of game prototypes, (b) the research methods which were followed to empirically evaluate their teaching interventions, and (c) the design-related issues and factors affecting ID and UX by identifying the most frequent set of learning and game mechanics that were adopted in various game prototypes in different learning subjects. The vast majority of game prototypes enhanced students' engagement and participation, affecting their achievements positively. This systematic literature review provides clear guidelines regarding the design decisions that educational stakeholders should consider, and provides recommendations on how to assess and evaluate the students' learning experience (i.e., performance, achievements, outcomes) using 3DVWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes an intervention carried out in the course on Statistics within the Bachelors' Degree in Business Administration, and Marketing and Digital Communication. Prior to it, problems related to attention in class and low motivation were identified. A game-based activity was designed aiming at boosting students' attention and encouraging autonomous study habits, which in turn, positively impact on their grades. To assess the effectiveness of the activity we tracked the grades and satisfaction of 153 students. Critical aspects highlighted by students in a focus group were also analysed. Evidences show the usefulness of the activity in improving students' grades and, to some extent, in changing their habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an innovative teaching and learning method based on three different simulations of multi-level governance settings. Public management at the local level is recreated using the SimCity computer game; the decision-making process at the national level is simulated through a national parliament simulation; and the intervention of the public sector at the international level is based on a simulation of the Council of the European Union. The main objective of this study is to assess students' perceptions regarding how useful simulations may be for teaching and learning economics. The implementation of this teaching method demonstrated that the students perceived problem-based and role-play methods as useful learning tools. They also declared that their perception about the complexity of real-world problems has changed and that their political engagement may have increased thanks to their participation. SDGs - Sustainable Development Goals [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has explored the use of simulations for education and training, and attention is turning to how they might support learning in school subjects such as mathematics and science. However, existing studies have mostly concentrated on older students, and if simulations help build knowledge useful for solving problems within the simulation, rather than possible transfer beyond the simulation. This paper reports on a study investigating 5 year olds' learning transfer from simulations introducing simple circuit procedures and concepts, to equipment‐based tasks. The study explored for evidence of learning transfer, using an analytical framework that aligned transfer strategy indicators with cognitive process dimensions, to identify transfer events and understand the thinking skills students applied during them. Findings supported the learning value of simulations, indicating young students transferred procedural knowledge to the equipment tasks, with some also demonstrating basic conceptual transfer. They also suggested transfer tasks can provide opportunities to exercise higher order thinking, through activating processes including reflection, evaluation, analysis and abstraction. Such capabilities are highly valued, and central to school achievement and development of learner independence and self‐direction. Practitioner NotesWhat is already known about this topic Simulations can develop knowledge useful for solving problems within the simulation.Simulations can be effective for learning mathematics and science procedures.Between‐simulation transfer engages higher order processing.What this paper adds Evidence of young students' procedural learning transfer, from simulations to real tasks.Some evidence of young students' naïve conceptual transfer, from simulations to real tasks.Evidence of the value of transfer tasks for higher order thinking development.Implications for practice and/or policy Transfer tasks provide opportunities for young students to exercise higher order thinking and problem solving.Teachers should consider transfer tasks for extending procedural learning to real tasks.Teachers are important for scaffolding young students' concept formation during transfer tasks, to ensure accurate knowledge development.Simulations can be effective for developing transferrable procedural knowledge, but conceptual transfer should not be assumed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the long tradition of game-based learning, there are still many unanswered questions regarding the instructional design of educational games. An important issue is the support that learners can be given in a game to enhance their learning. One recommended type of support is "advice," which means giving learners alerts and hints for appropriate actions to take in the game. Our study investigates the functioning of adaptive advice in a complex computer-based simulation game dealing with the area of knowledge management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, organizations have expended considerable effort and resources to develop and improve managers' leadership skills through various forms of play. I explore the role of play in leadership development processes. Drawing on theories of leader and leadership development and theories of play, I develop a conceptual framework, suggesting that play can contribute to different components of leader and leadership development processes (i.e., leadership identity, cognitive abilities, and behavioral skills). Furthermore, the role of creating safe play spaces in leadership development processes is highlighted. The discussion examines the implications and applications of play for leadership development processes, points to the dangers of misuse of play, and outlines directions for further empirical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although contemporary children's learning environments highlight promoting physical and social development–related play behaviours and safety, there are no valid means to analyse children's dynamic, complex behaviours. To address this limitation, the paper explores the impacts of agent-based simulation on architects' trade-offs in designing children's play-oriented learning environments. To simulate children's subtle behavioural responsiveness to the given environments, this paper adopts reinforcement learning (RL) as a method to develop autonomous play behaviours. A comparative experiment was conducted with 14 professional architects to investigate the capacities of the RL-powered agents. The systemic qualitative analysis indicates that the RL agent supported the coordination of complex physical constraints and new insights into child-oriented dimensions when evaluating the learning environment design. • RL agent is developed for designing children's play-oriented learning environments. • Capacities of RL agents-powered simulation is explored with professional architects. • Simulation facilitates calibration and refinement of design goals and strategies. • Simulation promotes optimisation of physical layouts via removing unused elements. • Simulation motivates experts and novices to design with child-centric perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses computer games as an educational or training tool of representing a model on how a system works. In 2001, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars gathered game developers, educational foundations and homeland security consultants to provide information on gaming technology and established an industry. These experts aim to convince people that game is also a medium of teaching just like books and films. Serious games emerge in various fields like science, defense and social change. This article cites several educational games, including Immune Attack created by the Federation of American Scientists, Balance of Power by Chris Crawford and Food Force by the United Nations World Food Programme.

We look at the relationship between business simulations and the educational theory of generative learning using the framework developed by Wittrock (1974, 1990, 1992). Our findings reveal opportunities for generative learning that occur at all phases of the simulation process. Awareness of these opportunities prepares faculty to get the most from the strategic decision-making simulations, and may assist them in defining the contribution associated with their use. We suggest areas for additional research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines two computer-based decision-making experiences and exercises for teaching various business subjects, namely, GoVenture--Live the Life of an Entrepreneur, and The Business Disc: How to Start and Run a Small Business. The objective of GoVenture's designers was to have players experience the entrepreneur's work-a- day world. They have successfully done this by having the player, do all that is necessary to create a retail operation and then run it in simulated real time. Players must go through all the necessary clutter and busy work associated with starting a business, such as obtaining licenses and permits, filing the firm's name, obtaining its government identification number, signing up and making deposits for the business's utilities, and choosing the business and its location. The Business Disc, like the previous one, also has been designed to be an experiential learning and development simulation, but its approach is very different. It is basically a series of branched video clips that take the player through two phases associated with starting a new business. Phase I covers all the basic planning and major decisions that must be made by a start-up. The player meets Harrison Fields, an accountant who guides the participant through these decisions. Immersion in the exercise is very fast because Fields steers the player along the requisite path. Fields covers deciding whether the firm will be in the economy's retail, service, or manufacturing sector; the firm's name; the nature of business and its ownership structure; its location with the options of leasing or renting or owning the firm's property; hiring employees, writing their position descriptions, and setting their work schedules; determining the help's fringe benefits and withholding taxes; setting up all the records needed, and finally setting prices and creating sales estimates.

This research draws on the self‐system model of motivational development to explain how the use of business simulation games in class facilitates students' engagement and enhances their learning. Based on a survey of 360 undergraduate students who played a business simulation game in a marketing course, the findings show that students' perceptions of competence, autonomy, relatedness and self‐efficacy have a positive impact on their cognitive, emotional and behavioural engagement. In addition, cognitive and emotional engagement have a positive influence on skills development and perceived learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulation games (SGs) offer great opportunities for students to learn and experience real-world business decisions in a risk-free learning environment. However, the impact of using SG on educational outcomes is not fully understood. Drawing on experiential learning theory, we develop a conceptual model to examine students' perceptions of the educational values generated from a SG adopted in a postgraduate programme at a UK business school. The study gathered data from 120 students by using survey data and qualitative data from students' reflective reports. Results show that SGs have positive impact on students' conceptual understanding, skills development and affective evaluation of their learning experience. The article discusses the findings and its implications for educational practitioners and offers directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of business simulation games plays a crucial role in teaching and learning even though it has been used for 60 years since the modern business simulation games started in 1955. Even previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of business simulation games used in teaching and learning; however, the major concerns that need to be addressed are related to sustainability issues. In the future, there is a requirement to embed the stages of employability into the curriculum, as well as in organizations, to bridge the gap between possessed skills and industry-required skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much data, both published and anecdotal, have shown that students grasp scientific concepts more easily when they are directly involved in the learning via lab experiments or other hands-on activities. Hands-on or experiential learning also appears to aid in students' ability to retain scientific theory. One way to engage students in a first-year calculus-based classical physics course is with the use of smartphones to validate or illustrate a variety of concepts covered in the lectures. It is true that almost all incoming students own or have access to a smartphone. This paper presents a method for students to use a smartphone app to track the trajectory of a sports projectile fired in real time (i.e., a basketball, volleyball, shot put, etc.). This experimental result was compared to a theoretical prediction of the trajectory of the projectile using an incremental air resistance algorithm implemented in Microsoft Excel. The students were required to estimate all of the parameters within the drag force equation (i.e., the drag coefficient, density of air, etc.) that made up part of the theoretical prediction. Ultimately, the goal was for the students to compare their experimental result with their prediction and gain an appreciation for the factors affecting the agreement (or lack of) between the two results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A marketing simulation represents a comprehensive and integrative business environment in which students actively manage firms that compete against each other. This article describes how marketing simulations harness digital disruption to enhance learning processes and outcomes and (ultimately) prepare students for their future careers. The article focuses on comprehensive marketing simulations, which have more decision variables and incorporate authentic competition, rather than "play against the machine" games. It defines digital disruption as the change that occurs when new digital technologies change customer experiences, business processes, and business models, thereby changing how value is cocreated. The article begins by describing how simulations capture digital disruption in the marketplace and harness it to improve students' learning experiences and outcomes. The description reflects the authors' experiences with the LINKS suite of simulations (www.LINKS-simulations.com), as well as the experiences of other instructors and students. The article then discusses pedagogical opportunities and class activities that enhance learning experiences connected with digital disruption in business ecosystems. It closes by emphasizing three best practices for marketing educators. The discussion applies to undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and programs targeted at other student groups (e.g., in-house corporate programs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses the use of simulation games in the business world and examines their success. He notes that while these methods are being touted as an educational innovation, there is no real evidence to back up that actual success of these games. He suggests that developers of these computer simulation methods need to pay greater attention to the design, administration and testing of these games in order for them to gain any measurable credibility. He contends that users should gain knowledge of principals when they play these games as well as knowledge of how these principals operate in the real world. This would require a grasp on the social dynamics of the business world and would help prepare students for the decision making processes they will encounter in the field.

In this article the authors examine the effectiveness of simulation gaming in business education. They discuss previous research that has indicated that business students have not been properly prepared for the real world dimensions of their careers. In this paper they propose that simulation gaming has begun to combat this problem by allowing students to face the real world situations they can expect to encounter after school. They assert that gaming has the ability to prepare students for the environment of uncertainty that exists in real organizations. By gaining experience with techniques such as managing both people and products students can better equip themselves for the decisions they will face as managers.

As a current trend in teaching, simulation games play an active and important role in the area of technology-based education. Simulation games create an environment for scholars to solve real-world problems in a risk-free environment. Therefore, they aim to increase the knowledge base as well as learning experiences for students. However, assessing the effectiveness of a simulation game is necessary to optimize elements of the game and increase their learning effect. In order to achieve this aim, different evaluation methods exist, which do not always involve all phases when running a simulation game. In this study, we conduct a literature review to analyze evaluation methods for three phases: pre-game, in-game, post-game phases of simulation games. Thirty- one peer-reviewed research papers met specified selection criteria and were classified according to a didactic framework that illustrates the four phases of running simulation games: Preparation, Introduction, Interaction and Conclusion. Based on the results, we provide a concrete evaluation strategy that will be a guide to assess simulation games during all the phases. This study contributes to the theory by providing an overview of methods for simulation game assessment within the different game phases. It contributes to the practice by providing a concrete evaluation strategy that can be adapted and used to assess simulation games. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Previous studies showed that students in hospitality major have relatively low interest and motivation to learn in food safety-related courses. The objectives were to examine the effects of a tablet PC (TPC) simulation game as a class activity on students' motivation to learn food safety and the factors influencing students' motivation change. The results showed that students' motivation to learn food safety knowledge increased significantly after participating in the TPC-simulation game. The results demonstrated that hospitality students' motivation to learn food safety can be maximized when learners are engaged in the learning material with both cognitive and affective structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computer games are quickly gaining momentum by enabling new approaches to teaching and learning experience for programming courses in K-12 curriculum. However, it remains unclear if the game interface and elements created by using three-dimensional (3D) virtual worlds combined with visual programming languages or a visual programming environment can affect students’ learning performance. This quasi-experimental study presents evidence about how a game can assist boys and girls to gain a greater understanding on skills related to CT for developing, implementing and transforming their solution plans into code based on their computational problem-solving strategies. A total of fifty (n = 50) high school students who volunteered to participate in this study divided into a control group (n = 25) and an experimental (n = 25) group that used Scratch and OpenSim with the Scratch4SL palette, respectively to propose their solutions for the same problem-solving tasks via a simulation game. The study findings indicate substantial differences and important points of view about students’ learning performance by assessing their computational problem-solving strategies. Students from the experimental group performed significantly better both in measures of problem-solving and algorithmic thinking. Mean scores on post-questionnaires from the experimental group revealed improvements higher than their control group counterparts in two aspects. First, students of the former group created more complete computational instructions with rules to be specified and delivered the learning goals. Second, students of the same group proposed and applied more correct computational concepts and practices in code. Finally, this study discusses the implications for designing learning experiences using OpenSim with Scratch4SL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Games are increasingly proposed as an innovative way to convey scientific insights on the climate-economic system to students, non-experts, and the wider public. Yet, it is not clear if games can meet such expectations. We present quantitative evidence on the effectiveness of a simulation game for communicating and teaching international climate politics. We use a sample of over 200 students from Germany playing the simulation game KEEP COOL. We combine pre- and postgame surveys on climate politics with data on individual in-game decisions. Our key findings are that gaming increases the sense of personal responsibility, the confidence in politics for climate change mitigation, and makes more optimistic about international cooperation in climate politics. Furthermore, players that do cooperate less in the game become more optimistic about international cooperation but less confident about politics. These results are relevant for the design of future games, showing that effective climate games do not require climate-friendly in-game behavior as a winning condition. We conclude that simulation games can facilitate experiential learning about the difficulties of international climate politics and thereby complement both conventional communication and teaching methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines what kind of competencies teachers need in using game-based pedagogy (GBP). In our conceptual framework, GBP entails four approaches: using educational games or entertainment games , learning by making games , and using gamification in learning. Our data, consisting of teachers' documentation, thematic interviews and questionnaires, were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Four main competence areas were identified: pedagogical, technological, collaborative and creative. The results are applicable for developing teacher education and in-service training, as teacher competencies in game-based learning will be more integral to teachers' professional knowledge and skill repertoires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The development of games for people with learning disabilities is one way to enhance the quality of learning and respond to the need for inclusive special educational support. Recently, game researchers have highlighted the need for paying more attention to identifying the game design choices that can strengthen learning. This paper reviews recent studies in the field of games that aim at supporting people with difficulties in learning, particularly in basic reading and maths skills. We identify the major characteristics and learning outcomes of the reviewed studies, as well as key design principles that have been used in games for enhancing basic reading and maths skills. The results show that people with specific learning difficulties have positive improvements in the quality of learning. We also found specific gamification elements that have been used to promote the learning of basic reading and maths skills. However, we call for research, which would explicitly examine the effects of game design choices on learning. Currently, the studies that address learning disabilities do not specifically define which kind of games and game design the results refer to, while game design studies do not clarify how these games influence learning. Thus, there is a need to rethink previous empirical studies on game settings for people with learning difficulties via advancing the role of game design in empirical intervention studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Games are useful tools for introducing new concepts to students. This paper describes a competitive two-player game for sophomore students in a modern physics survey course or junior/senior students in an introductory quantum mechanics course to build intuition and quantitative understanding of the probabilistic nature of quantum measurements in two-level systems such as qubits or the Stern–Gerlach experiment. The goal of the game is to guess a quantum state secretly chosen from a given set in the fewest number of measurements. It uses 20-sided dice or other classical random number generators to simulate quantum measurements. The Bloch vector formalism is introduced to give a geometric description of the quantum states and measurement outcomes. Several ready-to-use sets of quantum states are given, so readers can jump right in and try the game themselves without any prior knowledge of quantum mechanics. More advanced students can also use the game in suggested follow-up exercises to deepen students' understanding of quantum measurements and their statistical description. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the known benefits of long-term, game-based simulations they remain underutilized in Political Science classrooms. Simulations used are typically designed to reinforce a concept and are short-lived, lasting one or two class sessions; rarely are entire courses designed around a single simulation. Creating real-world conditions in which students operate often requires the development of distinct cultures and shared experiences that only long-term interactions can generate. These long-term interactions create a community where the past interactions of players matter when making decisions about future action. Long-term role-playing also gives students a forum to fully immerse themselves in the material resulting in deeper content comprehension. This article presents a framework for using a long-term, game-based simulation based on the popular television show Game of Thrones. The simulation uses an active learning approach to help students understand a variety of topics related to International Relations and related fields. The article concludes with a discussion on how the simulation can be modified to fit a variety of non-Political Science courses as well as provides the framework for an experimental design to test the effectiveness of the simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a computational model for simulating how people learn from serious games. While avoiding the combinatorial explosion of a games micro-states, the model offers a meso-level pathfinding approach, which is guided by cognitive flow theory and various concepts from learning sciences. It extends a basic, existing model by exposing discrete-time evolution, allowing for failure, drop-out, and revisiting of activities, and accounting for efforts made and time spent on tasks, all of which are indispensable elements of gaming. Three extensive simulation studies are presented involving over 10,000 iterations across a wide range of game instances and player profiles for demonstrating model stability and empirical admissibility. The model can be used for investigating quantitative dependences between relevant game variables, gain deeper understanding of how people learn from games, and develop approaches to improving serious game design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how an intervention research approach has been used to develop a simulation game to encourage active learning for undergraduate business accounting students. Based on the lecturer's reflective practice, it was recognised that many business students struggle to understand the practical application of accountancy theory. It was envisaged that using a virtual gaming environment would help students to contextualise accounting theories by encouraging them to engage in active learning. While business simulation software already exists, the prototype of the game was developed with the learning outcomes from specific accounting modules in mind. The process of game development, like professional development is iterative, and so feedback was sought from accounting students currently enrolled in undergraduate business programmes at the Institute of Technology, Sligo. Their feedback was then used to refine the game to make it more relevant and user friendly. The objective was to improve not only the quality of the learning for the student, but also the quality of the teaching. This paper demonstrates how reflective practice, and the intervention which followed, has resulted in the development of a new tool for teaching and learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Simulations of complex systems have a long history of use for the study and promotion of systems thinking, yet more can be done in identifying games that promote development of systems thinking.Aim. This study is an exploration of the hypothesis that FATE OF THE WORLD, a challenging and complex climate change simulation, can promote systems thinking about climate change.Questions. This article analyzes players’ engagement with FATE OF THE WORLD using three key questions: 1. In what ways does the game support thinking about climate change as a complex system? 2. Does the game correspond to players’ a priori model of climate change? 3. How do players relate to FATE as an artifact they embrace, critique, and tinker with?Method. 33 participants were matched into control and test groups, and experimental participants were assigned to play a full game scenario of FATE OF THE WORLD. Experimental and control groups were compared using pre-and-post intervention concept maps. Post interviews were conducted with the test group.Results.Concept maps revealed statistically significant differences between the control and test groups. Interviews revealed diversity in learning outcomes and the ways in which acceptance of the game’s model of climate change influenced learning.Conclusions. FATE serves as proof-of-concept for the power of complex simulations to promote systems thinking as well as in-depth reflection on key social challenges. However, simulations like FATE are unlikely to serve well as stand-alone educational tools, which highlights the importance of effective teaching to accompany the game. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Learning to manage a classroom is a difficult but important part of teacher education. Earlier research on simulations for learning classroom management has highlighted the difficulty of supporting reflection.Purpose. This case study explores and evaluates the design of a simulation for student teachers’ reflection on classroom management.Design. The design process resulted in the scenario-based SIMPROV simulation, which was made in the form of a hypermedia radio theatre that students go through in pairs or triads. Authoritarian, authoritative, democratic, and compliant leadership styles were built into the choices student teachers made.Evaluation. The simulation was evaluated in two courses where the participants’ level of reflection and perceived knowledge improvement was measured using a questionnaire. Forty-three first-year student teachers, 48 third-year student teachers, and 38 of the student teachers’ mentors participated in the evaluation.Results. The results indicate that participants engaged in reflection and understanding to a high degree, and only to a low degree in critical reflection or habitual action.Conclusions. The conclusions are that the scenario-based simulation designed as a hypermedia radio theatre supported knowledge improvement, understanding, and reflection and that social interaction during and after simulation sessions was an important feature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we propose a new role-playing game to teach the effects of electoral systems on politicians’ preferences and behavior. Because the electoral system is of great importance as a cause of various political outcomes, we political scientists should make sure that students understand what it is and why it could have a consequential impact on politics. However, we often fail to effectively teach the importance of the electoral system because of weaknesses in the traditional, didactic teaching methods. To improve political science education, we have developed a game in which students can learn how electoral systems affect politicians’ behavior by playing the role of an electoral candidate. Our experiment shows that the game could be effective supporting material for lectures on the impact of electoral systems. Our game serves as an addition to the repertoire of active-learning in political science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]