It is interesting how far technology has come. We can now use these life-like simulations to gain experience in school, careers, and even driving. There are so many excellent sites out there for these educational purposes. We can gain so much from exposing children to experiences they may not get in the real world. There are even simulations of brain surgeries and social work to help train people in their careers. Like in a blog posted about simulation games in education, a blogger posted information about a simulation about social work. Take a look at http://blog.core-ed.net/derek/2007/03/simulation_games_for_the_class.html. He noted, “These simulations are engaging in different ways. They’re especially useful for developing critical thinking, and exploring ideas and concepts at a deeper level than a superficial read of a magazine or text book article – especially when engaged in as a part of a classroom group activity. Like all good simulations – they’re intended to teach not through the imparting of lots of information, but through the understandings developed through the process of participation, problem solving and decision making” (Wenmoth, 2007). This is just one example of all the excellent simulation available for educational purposes.
-Jolandra
May 17, 2009 at 12:30 pm |
Jolandra,
While some simulations worry me (they seem to be addicting and I have seen some tweens get so caught up in a virtual life they are not living their real life), the driver’s ed simulation is very worthwhile. It is certainly much safer to gain experience with problems through a virtual reality situation than in real life.
May 19, 2009 at 4:57 am |
An article I just read about the use of mobile devices made an interesting point, that I think is appropriate to the realm of simulations as well (Selwyn, 2007). His point is that the old model of education is based on teachers, administrators, etc. controlling knowledge and parceling it out to students. But with the advent of advanced simulations, mobile learning, etc. no one individual has control over knowledge, it’s accessible to everyone. School districts, teachers, parents, we all need to get used to the fact that everyone has access to the information, pretty much anywhere and that we need to focus on how to best access valid information. (I guess I just provided a bit of support to the idea of connectivism…)
Reference:
Selwyn, N. (2003). Schooling the mobile generation: The future for schools in the mobile-networked society. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 2, 131-144