Designing Digitally
05/23/2017
There are many research reports that have discovered the importance of simulation in learning. As far back as 1986, it was discovered that simulation is an ideal mechanism for providing a teacher with an opportunity to educate in a more engaging and impactful way. Although technology and advancement of education has changed significantly since then, it is clear that simulations are of great benefit for educational opportunities.
The same can be said of eLearning in a corporate environment. When creating and deploying an eLearning program for your company, it is important to consider the benefits of using simulation as part of the process. The process of having employees learn in a real life situation, not only immerses them as part of the program, it also involves the use of critical thinking to work through a situation.
As you are designing your next eLearning program, here are three business benefits of eLearning simulations that you should take into consideration.
Think of the last time you were engaged in completing a multiple choice test. . As you were answering questions on the test, were you truly considering A versus B versus C? Were you critically thinking through various scenarios to arrive at the best and most logical conclusion?
When deploying an eLearning simulation, your students - or employees, in this case - will think through your program differently. They will consider this to be a real life experience. Simulations offer your company the chance to present a scenario to your employees, requiring them to think about how they would act in a real life situation. Simulations also permit learners to make mistakes and discover the consequences for their mistakes, in a nonthreatening environment. This reinforces learning and avoids employees making mistakes in their job, which may have negative repercussions for the business.
Interactive simulations and demonstrations were found to be of great help in subjects other than corporate learning, too. A 2016 study found that learning simulations carry the potential to make learning easier and more engaging. The study also discovered that simulations should be designed in such a way that the learners are provided with a great deal of structure and guidance. Without guidance and structure, simulations through eLearning do not have the intended impact to change behavior and achieve greater business results. So, while your students – or employees – will think through a situation or program differently, it is important to design and deploy a training simulation that carries your users through their learning experience carefully and with a great deal of structure.
Many of us learn differently. While some of us learn better with visual cues (in this case, you’re a “spatial” learner), others work better with verbal (“linguistic”) learning, meaning that you prefer speech and writing.
When it comes to simulations, it works for all learning types. Why? Because simulations have the capability to touch on all of the seven learning styles. As examples, it incorporates spatial learning, auditory-musical learning, and kinesthetic learning.
Regardless of the learning styles within your particular group, eLearning simulations will work for all.
ELearning simulations allow for immediate feedback through technology, which means that you can adapt your program quicker and more efficiently.
When a user experiences a challenge in one part of their eLearning journey, for example, a simulation will have the ability to share this information with you more quickly. Through this process, you can track and optimize the learning content and overall environment to make changes as needed.
While the thought of implementing eLearning simulation programs within your company might seem intimidating at first (after all, it’s a large-scale endeavor!) the value and benefit is remarkable. From providing different and unique learning opportunities to your employees, to creating an environment that fosters greater engagement and retention, consider these three benefits of eLearning simulations for your company as you are strategizing your next training program.
And remember - it’s important to launch simulations with care. Without a thoughtfully designed program, you will not experience the full benefit of an eLearning simulation for your company.
If you’re stumped, or perhaps you are simply not sure where to start when it comes to eLearning simulations for your company, don’t fret. We’ve designed and implemented a great number of simulations for various industries and verticals. Click here now and we can start the conversation about your goals and objectives for your company’s next eLearning program.
We bring a personal and effective approach to every project we work on.
