Training Industry Quarterly - Fall 2013 - (Page 19)

INTRODUCING SIM ULA TI O N INTO LEARNING STRATEGIES: EXAMINING THE KEY CONSIDERATIONS B Y R O N When thinking of simulation in a training context, it likely evokes certain mental imagery: a flight simulator, war-gaming, or a complex software application. From mock trials to military battle planning, and role-play-based sales training to advanced technology equipment simulators, simulation has played an important role as a high stakes learning intervention. Given a little thought, there are many examples where simulation is present in learning. With simulation, we look to replicate a real-world environment providing opportunities to plan, analyze, make decisions and execute actions, then experience the outcomes and learn from our successes and mistakes. Simulation allows us to do this without compromising safety, risking financial loss, or realizing other negative outcomes. SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE Although it’s tempting to integrate simulation into just about any type of training, it’s best to objectively determine A R N O L D & P A U L M E S K A N I C K if simulation is the best modality for the project, as well as the required level of complexity in order to be cost-effective, efficient and meaningful to the learner. This starts with a clear understanding of the business objectives for the initiative. Is it a major business imperative such as imparting a new systems engineering philosophy across the enterprise or is it more of a tactical project? How do the project sponsors see it? What is the cost of failure versus benefit of success for executing the tasks or decision-making to be simulated? This can be measured in a number of ways — in addition to financial gain or loss, it can include safety, reputation, customer experience, quality and productivity, just to name a few. Engaging the business line leaders in these discussions is the best place to start to ensure that the performance improvement effort is well-grounded in business considerations. It also provides a good opportunity to gauge the leaders’ proclivity for or against the use of simulation for training and to educate them on the pros and cons of using it for a particular application. Having this discussion before the instructional design begins not only helps secure buy-in from stakeholders, but minimizes potential re-work and lost time. SUBJECT MATTER COMPLEXITY Rolling out a new systems engineering methodology that alters the mindset of engineers, who have been designing sophisticated avionics a certain way for a long time, is a good opportunity for considering simulation. But, what about the pharmaceutical sales representative who must provide detailed information on her company’s products and articulate key points of a clinical study to a physician? The information is technical, the stakes are high, and there is a small window of opportunity to convey this content to the healthcare provider. Perhaps e-learning, in combination with an e-clinical reprint and simulated doctor-representative interaction, may prove efficient. Training Industry Quarterly, Fall 2013 / A Training Industry, Inc. magazine / www.trainingindustry.com/TIQ 19 http://www.trainingindustry.com/TIQ

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Training Industry Quarterly - Fall 2013

From Where I Sit: The Sustainability of MOOCs
Table of Contents
Ad Index
Guest Editor: Top Five Learning Technologies to Watch
We Need to Support Learning, Not Manage It
Supercharge Your Next Leadership Initiative
Boomers & the Technology Gap
Technologies to Manage Information Overload
It's Time to Invest in the 'Performance Zone'
Inroducing Simulation into Learning Technologies: Examining the Key Considerations
The Evolution of the LMS
Bringing Your Mojo to the Virtual Classroom
Merging Social Learning and Technology to Achieve Business Outcomes
Optimizing Workforce Learning and Performance
Badges: Bridging the Higher Education and Workforce Gap
Integrating Video into Training
Tools for Supporting Sales Coaching
Tweet Suite
Company News

Training Industry Quarterly - Fall 2013