Simulation Formats

There are at least four formats of management related simulation technologies in use today. They are gaming, role-playing, simulators, and modeling. For the reasons stated this site will focus on simulations and modeling::

1. Gaming requires formalized play that is characterized by a set of rules that a player must follow.  Gaming is very useful  in teaching competition strategies, teamwork and conflict resolution. One of the problems with gaming is that the players can become involved in the strategy of winning and overlook the lessons that are being taught. Another problem to consider is the difficulty in relating the games to specific course learning objectives.  For this reason, computer games of this nature found at these links are not evaluated or included on this site:

   1. http://gamesdomain.yahoo.com/

   2. http://www.gamespot.com/

   3. http://www.gamezone.com/

   4. http://www.gamespy.com/

    

2. Role-playing requires the students to assume specific roles for a given situation.  These have value for teaching general problem solving, collaboration, innovation and some personal evaluation.  Since the students are doing role-playing considerable time must be devoted to preparing for the simulation. Relating the game to course objectives is possible, but often difficult. Some discussion and examples of role-playing simulations can be found at the following sites:

   1. http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Tompkins-RolePlaying.html

   2. http://www.roleplayinggames.net/

   3. http://www.quandaryland.com/jsp/home.jsp

   4. http://www.searchamateur.com/corkboard/Diplomacy.html

    

3. Simulators are computer or Web based activities that emulate real-life situation in which the participants are involved in complex and continuous interactions with the simulation program. They are designed to develop basic administrative competencies through continued play.  Under the right conditions they can be used to test and validate theories, concepts, procedures or strategies, and experiment with organizational structures and functions.  Some examples of these are:

   1. http://compsimgames.about.com/

   2. http://www.terragame.com/simulation/index_1_sort2.html

   3. http://www.virtual-u.org/

   4. http://www.simulearn.net/leadershiptraining/leadershipseminars.htm

    

4. Models consist of a symbolic representation of a system. They offer an opportunity for students to gain an understanding of how a particular system works. They are intended to reinforce concepts or theories and can be directly related to specific course objectives. Some examples of models are:

   1. http://www.imaginethatinc.com/sols_sim_def.html

   2. http://facweb.furman.edu/~dstanford/simmods/simmods.htm

   3. http://www.budgetsim.org/nbs/

   4. http://www.playmassbalance.com/game.php

   5. http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/budget2005/

While all formats can teach various aspects of public administration, those in the last two categories, simulations and models will be the focus of this site.

Return to Home Page