Teaching Tip: Experiencing Business Challenges to Using Information Systems: A Simulation-Based Learning Approach

This teaching tip describes a novel simulation, the Business Information Systems Simulation, designed for teaching information systems concepts. Created with "Capsiminbox," the simulation places students in the role of a retail store manager who is assigned a leadership role in a strategically important pilot project to develop an app. Throughout the simulation, the student uses critical thinking skills to make decisions (grounded on the Rational Decision-Making Model) that must incorporate the company's Code of Conduct and satisfy various stakeholders. Later, the student leads their store through the response to a data breach. While encompassing many Information Systems concepts, the simulation challenges students to use their business rather than technical knowledge. A peer review, student survey, and analysis of skill scores demonstrate the simulation's effectiveness.