Simulation

Draft

Definition

• A simulation is an imitation of some real device, state of affairs or process. Simulation attempts to represent certain features of the behavior of a physical or abstract system by the behavior of another system ( Wikipedia:Simulation)

• Most often , simulations are fully or partially implemented with a software program that allows learn something about a given object of interest by "playing" with parameters of a model ("What happens if I do this" ? ... and later, "why did this happen ?").

According to Mergendoller et al. (2004): Randel, Morris, Wetzel, and Whitehill (1992) examined 68 studies on the effectiveness of simulations and found that students engaged in simulations and games show greater content retention over time compared to students engaged in conventional classroom instruction.

Simulation types:

• Computer simulations
• Computer games
• Microworlds,
• Simulation and gaming

Links

• Textbooks and General References. Good bibliography, contains on-line papers.

References

• Mergendoller, J., Markham, T., Ravitz, J. & Larmer, J. (2004). Standards-Focused Project Based Learning: An Online Teacher Preparation Program and Website. In C. Crawford et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2004 (pp. 2495-2500). Chesapeake, VA: AACE. [1]

• Randel, J.M., Morris, B.A., Wetzel, C.D. & Whitehill, B.V. (1992). The effectiveness of games for educational purposes: A review of the research. Simulation and Gaming, 25, 261-276.