Gamification: Create a Database of Management Simulations

The gamification database describes the design, creation and use of a cord sourced database of games and simulations with curriculum relevance. The database offers feedback from peers and students who have played each game, saving time in selecting games most relevant to course content.

Rationale

Games and simulations are effective tools for students to develop practical skills, understanding and concepts.

Learners/Context

Students immerse themselves in the language and practices of the field and through targeted play test out scenarios, concepts and hypotheses. They are able test out scenarios, concepts and hypotheses. The dialog that surrounds play serves to further deepen the learning. Such tools are available as both commercial and OER resources.

Alignment

Gamification gives students the opportunity to deepen their learning through engagement and immersion in the language and practices of the field.

Instructions/Processes

Prior to Semester

Decide on the most appropriate game for your course from the examples in the Gamification Database:
- MIT’s Littlefield Technologies
- Or these free simulation games
  NB: some tools will allow you to generate your own scenario.
- Simunomics: The Ultimate Business Simulation Game
- 12 Best Mobile Business Simulation Games
- The Business Strategy Game: Competing in a Global Marketplace
- GamesDB is an open, online database which allows educators and students to visually identify games and offer curriculum relevance, reflections and feedback.
Decide when the game will be deployed in your course. Access to a game could be the reward for completion of other task.
Decide how the game will be deployed in your course. For example, games can be used individually or teams of students can play out operational management decisions and compete against other groups or a game could be played out by the entire cohort/cadre, open or time delimited.
Develop a recommender system with relevant elements, tables and fields required for each record to provide staff and student feedback on the game use, value and match to curriculum.

In class or online

Explain to students the value and benefit of participating in the respective game.
Ask students to complete a review and provide feedback on the game which can be added to the database.

Conditions/Critical Success Factors

It is important to position the game so that it affords social interaction and dialog for student learning (Gee, 2012). Dialog during and debriefing after play is important to draw out student experiences, knowledge gained and reflect on the value of the play.

Resources/ Technology

MIT’s Littlefield Technologies
http://littlefield.responsive.net/littlefield/littlefieldHome.html

Or these free simulation games
http://classroom-aid.com/2012/11/09/15-business-simulation-games-could-build-hands-on-business-experience/
NB: some tools will allow you to generate your own scenario.

Simunomics: The Ultimate Business Simulation Game
http://www.simunomics.com/Login.php

12 Best Mobile Business Simulation Games
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/pictures-story/628-best-mobile-business-sim-games.html

The Business Strategy Game: Competing in a Global Marketplace
https://www.bsg-online.com/

GamesDB: Walz, S., Deterding, P. and Sebastian, P. (n.d.). Gameful World. The MIT Press.
http://thegamesdb.net

EdTech Focus on Higher Education: Where Does Gamification Fit in Higher Education?
http://www.edtechmagazine.com/higher/article/2012/11/where-does-gamification-fit-higher-education-infographic

Related Category:

Academic Skills

Gamification

Online learning

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Gamification: Create a Database of Management Simulations

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Gamification: Create a Database of Management Simulations