The Benefits Of Learning Simulations: Why You Need To Add Simulations To Your Learning Practices
In the attempt to crack the best learning practices for the workplace, we are always trying to combine as many successful proven methods as possible to accomplish better learning. A successful learning curve, one that keeps a good ratio between the time spent on learning and knowledge retention, can always be optimized. There are many tools that support this, and new ones appear every day. In this article we will talk about the benefits of learning simulations, a classic tool that is being revamped to fit the modern work environment.
The process of simulating a scenario to practice different responses and actions to a real life situation, is extremely effective in knowledge retention. This is because knowledge isn’t in theory – the user needs to apply it in a real-life situation. Adding a simulation to the learning process can either “seal the deal” or simply act as the real-time practice many employees long for. Simulations are a proven and useful tool to improve learning as well as a tool that creates a safe and enjoyable learning environment, where experimentation and failure are possible, something that is often missed when we talk about workplace learning.
Simulations, much like most learning methods, are usually not a standalone tool, but rather used when combined with other learning practices like in-class training, quizzes, coaching sessions, and more.
Although there are many advantages of using simulations, we chose the top 4 we believe are the core benefits of learning simulations:
1. True To Life
While it’s great to expose employees to different scenarios on paper, there is nothing like the real deal – real life experience. However, when real life experiences cannot be created during training, simulations bring us closer to the goal. Simulations offer a chance to experience real life scenarios that depict true events. It is a cheaper, faster, and efficient way for practice and learning that helps people understand how they should act in real life situations.
2. Branching Out
When simulating a scenario, whether it’s for learning about a new product, practicing new concepts, or any other learning experience, it’s valuable to be able to personalize the experience. Simulation helps one create their own learning experience by branching out into different scenarios according to answers. There aren’t always rights and wrongs when it comes to human behavior, and often different approaches lead to different key points one needs to master. Consider the employee who needs to practice the technical side of a new product when faced in front of an angry client verses the employee that is lacking practice on the customer retention side. Both of them may start the simulation at the same point but will learn different things that the learning system was able to make personal for them.
3. Repetition
To ensure a good learning experience and valuable learning results we need to repeat content. But when you wish to educate someone, it will probably not work out so well if you will simply hand out the same questions or the same reading content repeatedly. Simulations come to your rescue. By simulating scenarios we can repeat content in an engaging way that brings an interesting flavor to the learning goal. Think about new software adoption at a company. Simulation can create another layer of content. One can start off by telling employees about the new software, later quizzing them, and finally asking them to be a part of a simulation about the new software. This complete toolbox creates a richer learning environment and increases the chances of knowledge retention.
4. Technology
While simulation is a technique, today we have the technology to put it into action efficiently. New technologies enable us to offer web-based simulations with advanced tools that personalize the entire journey an employee is going through and also be mobile friendly. Finally, new simulation technology enable us to have fast and accurate results regarding each employee progression so it is possible to track and optimize the learning content and environment.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, simulations can be easily added to Learning Management Systems and are not a burden to the management. Today’s available tools, one of them being the simulation tools we use at GamEffective, as part of our gLearn product, are easy to create and use, both for the management level and for the employees.
