Resource 3: Simulations
Definition
What are Educational Simulations?
Educational simulations are interactive learning experiences that mimic real-world processes, environments, or scenarios. They allow learners to explore, experiment, and make decisions in a safe, controlled setting. Simulations can be digital (e.g., computer-based), physical (e.g., role-play), or hybrid, and are designed to replicate authentic tasks or challenges relevant to the subject matter.
Key Characteristics of Simulations
- Realism: Simulations reflect real-life systems or situations, often with simplified models.
- Interactivity: Learners actively participate, make choices, and see the consequences.
- Feedback: Immediate responses help learners understand the impact of their actions.
- Safe experimentation: Mistakes are part of the learning process without real-world risks.
- Goal-oriented: Simulations are structured around specific learning objectives.
Benefits of Using Simulations in Education
- Engagement: Simulations are immersive and often game-like, capturing learners’ attention.
- Experiential Learning: Learners “learn by doing,” which deepens understanding and retention.
- Decision-Making Skills: Students practice making choices and analyzing outcomes.
- Critical Thinking: Simulations often involve problem-solving and strategic planning.
- Collaboration: Many simulations encourage teamwork and communication.
Examples of Educational Simulations
Educational simulations come in various forms, each designed to replicate real-world scenarios and support experiential learning.
- Role-play simulations involve learners taking on specific roles to explore historical events, social dynamics, or professional situations—such as mock trials or classroom debates. These activities promote empathy, communication, and critical thinking.
- Virtual labs simulate scientific experiments, allowing students to manipulate variables and observe outcomes safely and repeatedly. A widely used resource is PhET Interactive Simulations by the University of Colorado Boulder, which offers free, CC-BY licensed simulations in physics, chemistry, biology, and math.
- Scenario-based games present learners with branching storylines where decisions lead to different outcomes, helping them develop problem-solving and decision-making skills. For example, educators can use H5P's Branching Scenario tool (CC-BY) to create interactive narratives tailored to their subject.
Videos:
Explains the benefits and setup of simulation-based learning
Offers practical classroom examples and tips.
Highlights how simulations can be integrated into teaching.
Open Resources:
- PhET Interactive Simulations – Free science and math simulations (CC-BY).
- Creative Commons and OER – Explains how to use CC-licensed content legally.
Tools and Platforms for Simulations
- Simulation types: physical, digital, virtual
- Tools: PhET, Classcraft, Minecraft Education, H5P
- Design principles: realism, feedback, interactivity
Educational simulations can be delivered through various formats—physical, digital, and virtual—each offering unique ways to engage learners.
Physical simulations often involve role-play or classroom activities that mimic real-life scenarios, while digital simulations use software to model systems or processes, and virtual simulations immerse learners in 3D or game-based environments.
One widely used tool is PhET Interactive Simulations (CC-BY), which offers free, browser-based science and math simulations developed by the University of Colorado Boulder.
For gamified learning, platforms like Classcraft and Minecraft Education Edition allow students to explore problem-solving and collaboration in fantasy or real-world settings.
Another versatile tool is H5P (CC-BY), which enables educators to create branching scenarios, interactive videos, and quizzes that simulate decision-making processes.
When designing simulations, educators should focus on three core principles:
- realism, to ensure the scenario reflects authentic challenges;
- feedback, to provide learners with immediate responses to their actions; and
- interactivity, to encourage active participation and exploration.
Videos:
Demonstrates tools and creative ideas for building simulations
Introduces basic simulation concepts for total beginners
Shows how simulations can be adapted for different subjects
Online Resource:
- Introduction to Open Educational Resources – Learn about CC licensing and reuse (CC-BY).
Designing Simulation-Based Learning
- Designing simulation-based learning begins with identifying a clear learning goal; what you want students to understand or practice.
- Once the goal is set, you choose the type of simulation that best fits your subject and classroom context, whether it's a role-play, virtual lab, or scenario-based game.
- Next, you design the scenario by outlining the setting, roles, tasks, and expected outcomes. During facilitation, guide students through the simulation, offering support and structure (scaffolding) to help them stay focused and engaged.
- After the activity, it's important to reflect together through a debriefing session, where students discuss what they learned, the decisions they made, and how they might apply those insights.
- To ensure all learners benefit, consider accessibility needs; such as language, technology, or physical limitations and localize the content to match cultural and curriculum relevance.
This thoughtful process helps make simulations meaningful, inclusive, and impactful in the classroom.
Video:
Offers a clear overview of how to implement simulation-based learning effectively