Why Use Online Simulations?

Like their real-world counterparts, online simulations help students to understand subject matter by letting them apply theory to "real" situations. Simulations are frequently designed to force students to confront various challenges and overcome obstacles, and the students are actively engaged in their own learning.

On line simulations offer several additional advantages. For example, instructors can arrange for simulation activities to be held beyond or even apart from classroom time. Moreover, simulations can more easily continue for an extended time (e.g., for several weeks). Often, online simulations can be managed from off site and, conversely, students can participate from different locations or, possibly, at different times. Depending on the tools used to conduct the simulation, it may be easier to archive and keep track of simulation events and participants' actions. Finally, it's easy to conceal participants' true identities when running online simulations involving role play. This often helps the participants to more fully immerse themselves in their own roles and in the simulation itself.

How to Hold an Online Simualtion:

Many, if not most, online simulations rely on dedicated software explicitly designed to model specific situations or provide specific functionality, such as the various ICONS Project simulations. And while many such simulations are now fully accessible via the World Wide Web, others still require the installation of special software, either on a host machine or on the computers used by the participants. Depending on the complexity of installation and configuration, this can require the assistance of IT professionals.

Depending on the nature of the simulation, an alternative is to use a set of standard IT tools, such as the ones described at this website, to create a strcture or pathway for participation and communication.