Startup simulation Training

What Do Simulations Offer To Students?

Simulations offer students a deeper learning experience that is hand-on. 

While simulation learning is one of the relatively new methods of teaching, it is quickly becoming the more popular approach – due to the fact that it is a more engaging type of learning. 

Students are vastly more engaged through simulation learning because of the real-life situations that are created as they play through the simulations. 

Students find themselves feeling empowered by the deeper understanding that they gain of a topic through this hands-on learning. This is a far superior approach than the typical surface learning that they would receive from a lecture class that focuses on memorization.

Also, students learn technical and problem-solving skills throughout the simulation process. When a concern or conflict arises that they need to figure out within a simulation, they approach the solution process much like a scientist does while doing experiments. 

The simulation strategy allows students to learn from the many possible outcomes in a situation. They learn a vast variety of technical skills by doing so. 

Simulations replicate real-life by allowing students to try alternative approaches to the same situation without the real-life risk – to find out what works best as a solution. 

This is especially effective in business management simulations and marketplace simulations, like those offered through Startup Wars. These allow a business student to discover possible approaches and outcomes without inherent risk. 

This applied learning helps a future entrepreneur find success later on. 

What Do Simulations Offer To Professors?

Educational simulation games offer professors a unique opportunity to improve their own teaching skills, while offering their students more concrete learning opportunities within the classroom. 

Simulations allow for the teaching of theoretical concepts and the implementation of digital tools in a built in, organic way.

Professors are able to create personalized learning opportunities that are fully customizable, through the flexibility of simulation based learning. Virtual learning is even a possibility for remote students through e learning simulations. 

Importantly, simulations increase the engagement between professors and their students. Professors benefit from this. They can receive important feedback from their simulation students, at the moment. Student-to-student conversation and student-to-professor dialogue is a natural part of using simulations, through active teaching opportunities.

How To Integrate a Startup Simulations Into The Classroom

In order to implement simulated training into the classroom, there are a couple things a professor should do to make the most of the simulated experience. 

Professors should define the purpose of the simulation exercise completely. Knowing the point of the exercise is critical. They also should be ready for the many possible questions from their students, and be prepared for as many outcomes as possible. 

Preparation is key. 

While the simulation exercises are in play, the professor should make sure that the students are all actively engaged. If they are not fully involved, then the simulation results won’t be as effective. 

There should be a post-simulation debrief  in which students have the time to talk and reflect amongst each other, and with their professor. This interactive modeling will allow for discovery and realization of concepts. 

The professor should actively engage their students to ask questions while utilizing simulation techniques  – and allow a student to discuss what they did within the simulation learning and why. 

The professor should set aside time at the conclusion of each class meeting to reflect upon what they learned as a group. This reflective time that is set up within simulation based learning in education is invaluable.

Reflective discussion allows for a more productive means of mastering skills, developing strong communication skills and decision making skills.

Simulation Assessment And Use In Real Life

Utilizing simulation and training exercises as a skill measuring method is very effective. Professors can in fact do a simulation test on the skills and techniques used within their classroom. 

When a profesor engages in simulated activities within their classroom, they are able to test and examine their students’ progress in action – in a way that is entirely different from the basic memorization testing in a traditional classroom.

Simulation-based learning in education allows a professor to observe and test a student’s active learning skills while seeing how they respond in different life-like scenarios. 

These problem solving simulations allow for a far more realistic view on how a student will handle what they’ve learned in real life. 

Students will leave the classroom feeling confident and fully ready for the many challenges and rewards of their future careers. 

Recommendations For Professors To Start Using A Startup Simulation In The Classroom

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Charlotte Kane
Charlotte Kane Undergraduate Student, The Ohio State University

Startup Wars allowed me to understand everything that goes into starting a business in 90 days.

Darshita Bajoria
Darshita Bajoria Undergraduate Student, The Ohio State University

Startup Wars is an interactive way to learn and hone entrepreneurial skills while being a no-risk outlet. Great tool for those pursuing entrepreneurship.