What is simulation training?
To understand what simulation training is, it is first important to understand what simulation is. Simulation is a live environment in which computerized scenarios are created to resemble real-life processes.
These scenarios can be from various fields such as defense, healthcare, sales, retail etc. Simulations can also be based on hypothetical situations to study how a system works. Learners can change the variables in simulations to make predictions or study the behavior of a system or process.
The main aim of simulation is to allow learners to hone their skills in strategic thinking, decision making, problem solving, teamwork and leadership, market analysis, operations, and financial analysis in a safe environment.
Simulation is increasingly being used in training. In simulation training, learners are presented with a game-like environment. Note that this environment is different from a virtual environment, which uses images and graphics, with voice, special effects and background music. As said, simulated environment recreates real-life scenarios.
Learners have to select the best solution for each scenario and are required to do so until they get it right. In other words, simulation training allows learners to hone their skills and knowledge in a virtual environment, which in all ways resembles a real-life setting. The advantage is that they can practice and identify solutions which they can later incorporate in their daily lives.
The simulation software can be accessed on all device types including mobile, tablets and PCs, which means trainees can learn anywhere, anytime and at their own pace.
Simulation training has several other benefits. It helps to reduce cost while safely allowing learners to address their knowledge and skill gaps. (How to Optimize Your eLearning ROI?)
Besides, it makes training more skill-oriented since learners can explore outcomes and thus gain a better understanding of the scenario and the available solutions. Here are top 6 Reasons Why Your Organization Needs Simulation Training
Simulation training is increasingly gaining ground in various industries.
Here are some use cases of simulation training.
1. Simulation training in Human Resources Management:
Organizations are using simulated training to train their HR staff on a number of skills and capabilities. For example, new HR staff can practice how to effectively interview candidates or conduct inter-departmental meetings. They also learn how to handle different types of employee grievances and efficiently complete transactional processes.
They also learn the nuances of retaining existing employees. Basically, simulation training allows them to master their tasks and avoid common mistakes, which could otherwise have negative consequences in real-life situations.
2. Simulation training in Sales:
In case of Sales training, simulation usually includes an imaginary business situation, which closely resembles a real-life scenario. It is created in the form of a game which encourages the sales personnel to make decisions on factors such as advertising, price, sales tips, meeting targets etc. Here are 6 Benefits of Scenario-based Training over Traditional Training
The simulated games have an element of challenge, use figures and data, and incorporate reporting tools for feedback.
The sales personnel can hone their persuasive skills and learn how to effectively interact with clients, make presentations, address their concerns, and effectively close a deal.
Simulation training allows them to learn by trial and error and learn from their mistakes in a simulated setting rather than in real-life settings.
3. Simulation training in Defense:
Also known as military simulations, they include war games in which defense personnel can test and refine various war theories without the need for actual hostilities.
These war-like situations have varying degree of realism. Simulation training in defense is being used to provide all sorts of other training such as ground training, command center training, and vehicle training. Simulated software offers the armed personnel a realistic and immersive environment to gain hands-on training in operating heavy machinery or use weapons.
Besides, they can also practice a range of scenarios and environmental conditions which they may otherwise never encounter in a physical training. Here are 10 Reasons to Invest in Custom Scenario-based eLearning.
4. Simulation training in Banking:
Banks are increasingly using payment system simulations to perform various kinds of evaluations such as the amount or sufficiency of the liquidity available to participants.
This helps them ensure that they have efficient payment and security settlement systems. Simulation software is used to compare various systems in order to choose the right one.
Another application of simulation training is to allow employees to evaluate risks related to events such as the inability of the participants to send payments or a communication network breakdown.
5. Simulation training in Healthcare:
Medical simulation is seen as a bridge between classroom learning and real-life clinical experience. Simulation in healthcare allows healthcare practitioners to attain clinical skills through ‘hands-on’ practice.
Simulation tools serve as an alternative to real patients and allow trainees to make procedural mistakes and learn from their experiences without the fear of causing any sort of harm to the patient.
So, simulation training provides healthcare practitioners a safe environment to learn from mistakes. It goes without saying that making mistakes is a valuable part of any learning process. Here’s How to Build a Mobile-Ready Training Program for Pharmaceutical Industry.
Here’s more on the importance of eLearning in healthcare
6. Simulation training in Education:
Simulation is also gaining wide recognition in the education discipline. Take chemistry simulation for example. Students can practice on the virtual lab in a perfectly safe and secure manner, and they can make mistakes which in real-life can be dangerous.
Apart from the safety element, simulation training also provides a host of other benefits such as, it is more economical for the institutions as they don’t have to invest in expensive equipment and material.
The children can learn at their own pace, otherwise in actual labs, they have to conduct the experiments within the lab period, which adds to their pressure of completing an exercise at a faster rate. Here’s more on Digital Solutions for Universities and Higher Education Institutions
7. Simulation training in the Auto Industry:
In the auto industry, simulation training is used to train employees in designing various auto parts and conduct efficiency analyses of various parts and materials to achieve proper functionality.
Besides, engineers are also trained to recognize correlations, make assessments and think in more integrated ways.
Simulation-based training makes learning a more fun, experiential and immersive process. And given the advantages of mobile-based simulation exercises, the learners have all-time access to the training, without the need for any physical space or equipment.
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