The interest in simulations in corporations, government, military, and academia has grown year over year, with little sign of saturation. Yet confusion over different types (or genres) persists, dragging down effective short term action and long term strategies. Designed for learning professionals who are considering implementing simulations or planning a simulations strategy, this book will help lift the fog around this mysterious new training technology. The first part of the book looks at the computer based simulations that are proven and established. These are the simulations that are either in the strategic advantage or infrastructure stage. The author discusses how to choose, build, procure, and implement these more mature simulation models. Capturing accounts of experienced simulation users and providing an evolutionary foundation to next generation simulations, the next section of the book examines why these first models are not sufficient. Other types of tangential simulations are then discussed, including non-technology role-plays at one extreme and computer games and military flight simulators at another. Finally, the author explores the innovative simulations that are breaking new ground. Potential role models with reusable frameworks are discussed and deployment and measurement issues are raised. The book is based on hundreds of interviews with practitioners, as well as new analysis of patterns and implications. In the end the author makes a solid case that these next generation simulations will have a huge impact on how we learn, as the Gutenberg Era falls away to the Simulation Era.
Book Details:
- Author: Clark Aldrich
- ISBN: 9780470330876
- Year Published: 2005
- Pages: 400
- BISAC: BUS066000, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS/Training
About the Book and Topic:
The interest in simulations in corporations, government, military, and academia has grown year over year, with little sign of saturation. Yet confusion over different types (or genres) persists, dragging down effective short term action and long term strategies. Designed for learning professionals who are considering implementing simulations or planning a simulations strategy, this book will help lift the fog around this mysterious new training technology. The first part of the book looks at the computer based simulations that are proven and established. These are the simulations that are either in the strategic advantage or infrastructure stage. The author discusses how to choose, build, procure, and implement these more mature simulation models. Capturing accounts of experienced simulation users and providing an evolutionary foundation to next generation simulations, the next section of the book examines why these first models are not sufficient. Other types of tangential simulations are then discussed, including non-technology role-plays at one extreme and computer games and military flight simulators at another. Finally, the author explores the innovative simulations that are breaking new ground. Potential role models with reusable frameworks are discussed and deployment and measurement issues are raised. The book is based on hundreds of interviews with practitioners, as well as new analysis of patterns and implications. In the end the author makes a solid case that these next generation simulations will have a huge impact on how we learn, as the Gutenberg Era falls away to the Simulation Era.
At the most recent Online Learning Conference, Brandon Hall’s “State of the Industry” report named simulations as the #1 “Hot Technology.” A Masie Center survey on Gaming and Simulations recently found that 70% of participants would be “Very” interested in participating in a learning process that used computer games (28% were “Somewhat” interested and 2% were “Not at All” interested).
AUHOR HAS ACHIEVED GURU STATUS – Aldrich has been around since the beginning of the e-learning revolution. He regularly consults with the big movers and shakers, including Cisco and Microsoft. The media often calls him to comment on e-learning issues and his work appears regularly in industry publications. He is known as the “simulations guy”. HOT TRAINING TECHNOLOGY – For any organization wanting to perk up their training and teaching, simulations are the leading edge choice. This book surveys the practical options for making the leap into computer-based simulations. BIG PICTURE – For the strategists and the academics, it will also help explain simulations in a greater context, build consensus among stakeholders, and understand where the field is going.
About the Author
CLARK ALDRICH lives in Madison, CT. His company’s website can be found at www.simulearn.net. Employment: Clark is Co-founder and Executive Vice President of Product Development of SimuLearn Inc., a designer and developer of soft skills simulator software. Formerly a Research Director at the Gartner Group, he was responsible for launching and building their e-Learning programs. Platform: In 2001 Clark was identified as one of Trainings New Guard by the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD). In 2000, he was chosen as one of three e-Learning gurus by Fortune and was named one of Training magazines 16 visionaries of the industry. A regular columnist for Online Learning magazine (now part of Training), his writing has appeared in several industry news publications and white papers. He is often a keynoter at the various training and e-learning conferences and is frequently cited in a range of business media including CNBS, Fortune, and CNNfn.