Why Simulations Save Time

📌 Sim·u·la·tion [sim-yuh-ley-shun]: imitation or enactment, as of something anticipated or in testing.

A lot of people in the training world have been using simulations for a long, long time. I've been using simulations for learning since 1989 because they are fun, cost-efficient, and super-effective. (Yep, sorry. Dating myself there.)

Why? You ever hear the phrase, “learn by doing?”

Yep. That’s what simulations are for.

Simulations can be very effective learning strategies, and deeply engaging for the participants, too!

Results-Focused: I typically get 50% more and faster engagement and learning results from simulation-enhanced learning than I do from more traditional kinds of training.

Simulations simplify real-world environments enough for people to practice skills quickly, safely, and in a way that makes the learning points obvious.[1]

How it Works: What makes a simulation work? There are a few key principles to follow when selecting or designing a learning simulation.

➜ Make the simulation feel like real work

➜ Strip away excess complexity and focus on the key dynamic

➜ Make the situations, choices, and outcomes believable

➜ Allow choices to influence outcomes

➜ Keep the rules in the background

When simulations follow these five principles, they can be very useful learning tools. Attention to the details can make a simulation the most powerful and long lasting learning experience a person ever has.

These are the principles that I built into the 5-Step Simulations™ model. If you'd like to see how to make it easy, fast, and effective to build Simulation-Enhanced Learning, just reach out. I don't charge to teach people this model. If you'd like help implementing it, I'm happy to explore that with you.

SPECIAL OFFER: Give me material, get a free simulation! If you have a wishlist of situations you’d like to see turned into training, drop me a message and I’ll take a look and spin you up a scenario or two. This is a great way to see how you can get better training results in less time with less cost using simulations. [Just reply to this email or click here.]

💡 My 5-Step Simulations™ product is also available for trainers and instructional designers on the LearningSim website and through Trainers Warehouse.

Bottom Line: We need to respect people’s intelligence and time by giving them learning solutions that equip them with what they need to be successful. Simulations offer more effective learning with less clutter and in less time.

Creatively yours,
–Steve

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P.S. - Seriously. If you’d like me to create a scenario for you to use for training, invest 15 minutes in a custom request. I can always use more situations to add to my library, and you’ll get a free simulation packet or two for suggesting the ideas.

[1] Or, simulations can be used to create a simplified model of a real-world system that allows people to study—or simulate—its behavior in order to draw conclusions or test different scenarios. The real world has plenty of sharp edges! Simulations are sharp only where necessary.