Instructional Model: Simulation

The Simulation Model allows for practice and learning that can be applied to many different disciplines. Simulation based learning is a way to create structured learning experiences that are realistic and allow students to make decisions, conduct research, collaborate with others and experience the consequences and benefits or rewards of their decisions. Game-based elements, such as rolling dice to derive movement or change is typically found in simulations. Game pieces or other manipulatives are used to track progress are also used.

Implementation Steps:

• Give students a problem to discuss, ask them to make a prediction about the answer and then simulate data to test their predictions.

• Ask students to predict what will happen under certain conditions, then test it out.

• Ask students to come up with rules for certain occurances (ie. what factors will effect the success of a business).

• ASk students to create a model and use it to simulate data to test whether a particular outcome is due to chnace or due to some other factor.

• Ask students to run a simulation to discover an important idea or to test a theory or hypothesis.

Strengths of the Simulation Model:

• Promotes student engagement

• Improves communication skills

• Promotes creativity and out-of-the-box thinking

• Promotes independent critical thinking

• Involves a number of 21st century skills

Limitations of the Simulation Model:

• Requires intensive pre-simulation lesson preparation

• Teacher may need to fill in knowledge gaps before, during or after the simulation