Innovative teaching using simulation and virtual environments

Abstract

Simulation and game-based techniques are becoming increasingly popular methods of inquiry into complex service-science-related problems and phenomena. Integrating these techniques and models into the curriculum allows for students to visually learn about the objects of their study and the related concepts, interact with processes, components, and systems, and understand the underlying dynamic behavior of the objects of their study. Such a learning experience is usually difficult to build using more traditional approaches such as case studies and experiential exercis-es. In this paper, after a brief introduction, we discuss the authors' experience in using simulation and game-based and virtual environments, such as Second Life and Innov8, that lead to a more innovative teaching of service science concepts. The proposed approaches can have positive im-plications for the quality of education in areas such as Business, Management Information Systems (MIS) and Systems Engineering and may be a significant step towards a more comprehensive stu-dents' learning experience. We include some preliminary students' learning outcomes that indicate potential of one game-based learning technique that we describe in the study. We also briefly illustrate how a more formal approach such as causal mapping can be used to develop a robust and effective curriculum using the exam-ple of Operations Management.