Short answer

Incorporate interactive simulation and gaming elements into educational design to foster practical skill development, particularly for complex project management scenarios.

Field: Modelling
Source: Nottingham ePrints (University of Nottingham) (2010)
Method: Development and implementation of educational simulation games within a Masters-level teaching module.
Evidence: Strong effect

Utilizing bespoke simulation games as a primary teaching tool can significantly improve the acquisition of organizational and project management skills for civil engineering students. This modelling research insight is drawn from a 2010 study published in Nottingham ePrints (University of Nottingham). Using Development and implementation of educational simulation games within a masters-level teaching module., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate interactive simulation and gaming elements into educational design to foster practical skill development, particularly for complex project management scenarios.

Study

ModellingHigh ImpactStrong effect

Simulation Games Enhance Project Management Skills in Civil Engineering Education

Utilizing bespoke simulation games as a primary teaching tool can significantly improve the acquisition of organizational and project management skills for civil engineering students.

Nottingham ePrints (University of Nottingham) · 2010

Key Findings

01Educational simulation games show potential for teaching organizational and project management skills.
02Generic simulation game design offers flexibility for creating bespoke models based on student proposals.
03A teaching module relying heavily on simulation games yielded positive results and demonstrated benefits for student learning.

Application

Design takeaway

Incorporate interactive simulation and gaming elements into educational design to foster practical skill development, particularly for complex project management scenarios.

How to apply

Develop or adapt simulation-based learning modules for technical courses, focusing on project management, resource allocation, and decision-making processes.

Project actions

01Consider using simulation software or game engines to model design processes or user interactions.
02Focus on creating scenarios that require critical decision-making and problem-solving.

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the effectiveness of computer-based simulation games in teaching organizational and project management skills to civil engineering students.

MethodDevelopment and implementation of educational simulation games within a Masters-level teaching module.

ProcedureThe research involved reviewing existing literature, developing various simulation games (including generic and complex project management simulations), and integrating them into a teaching module focused on student-centered, experiential learning. Student performance and feedback were collected over three years.

ContextHigher education, specifically civil engineering Masters programs.

Variables

IVUse of simulation games vs. traditional teaching methods.

DVStudent acquisition of organizational and project management skills (measured by performance, feedback, etc.).

CVStudent academic level (Masters), subject domain (civil engineering), teaching module structure.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Direct development and implementation of simulation tools within an educational context.
+Longitudinal study over three years provides robust data on effectiveness.

Limitations

Developing a fully functional simulation can be time-consuming and technically challenging. The effectiveness of the simulation depends heavily on its realism and the quality of the game design.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity is supported by its longitudinal nature and direct implementation. Reliability could be enhanced by standardizing assessment metrics across all participants and years.

Think critically

To what extent can the principles of simulation game design be applied to non-engineering disciplines, and what are the key challenges in adapting such models?

Design Principles

"Experiential learning through simulation can accelerate skill acquisition and understanding of complex systems."

This research demonstrates that interactive, game-based learning environments can be more effective than traditional methods for teaching complex, real-world skills. By allowing students to model their own proposals, it fosters a deeper understanding of project dynamics and decision-making consequences.

What This Means for Your Design

Using computer games that simulate real-world projects can help engineering students learn how to manage projects better than just reading about it.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when justifying the use of simulation or digital modelling tools in your design process.
2.Use it to support the idea that interactive learning can lead to better understanding of project management or system dynamics.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The application of educational simulation games, as demonstrated by Long (2010) in civil engineering, highlights their potential to enhance the teaching of complex project management skills. This approach, which relies on student-centered, experiential learning, offers a powerful alternative to traditional methods by allowing students to actively engage with and learn from simulated scenarios, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of organizational dynamics and decision-making.

Source

Nottingham ePrints (University of Nottingham)

A detailed investigation of the applicability and utility of simulation and gaming in the teaching of civil engineering students

journal · 2010

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about simulation games enhance project management skills in civil engineering education?: Incorporate interactive simulation and gaming elements into educational design to foster practical skill development, particularly for complex project management scenarios. Evidence: Nottingham ePrints (University of Nottingham) (2010).
Why does "Simulation Games Enhance Project Management Skills in Civil Engineering Education" matter for design?: This research demonstrates that interactive, game-based learning environments can be more effective than traditional methods for teaching complex, real-world skills. By allowing students to model their own proposals, it fosters a deeper understanding of project dynamics and decision-making consequences.
How can designers apply this research?: Incorporate interactive simulation and gaming elements into educational design to foster practical skill development, particularly for complex project management scenarios.
What were the main findings?: Educational simulation games show potential for teaching organizational and project management skills.. Generic simulation game design offers flexibility for creating bespoke models based on student proposals.. A teaching module relying heavily on simulation games yielded positive results and demonstrated benefits for student learning.
What research method was used?: Development and implementation of educational simulation games within a Masters-level teaching module..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2010 journal from Nottingham ePrints (University of Nottingham).
What should I do differently in my next project?: Develop or adapt simulation-based learning modules for technical courses, focusing on project management, resource allocation, and decision-making processes.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on a specific Masters program, and the generalizability to other disciplines or educational levels may vary. The development of bespoke simulations requires significant resources.