Simulation:
In popular usage, Simulation Connotes an assumption of something without having its reality. A Dictionary of
Scientific Terms defines simulation as the Assumption of features or structures intended to deceive enemies, as forms
of leaf and stick insects, and all varieties of protective Colour action. In social sciences however, simulation is used
as a method to study social or psychological phenomena and is devoid of the connotation of deception.
Method of simulation:
Many forms of simulation based on the principles of learning are utilized for training purposes in various enterprises.
They all attempt to provide the trainees with such opportunities where in he would get a feel of what he would experience in a
Real life situation and would gain some understanding of the likely outcome of various actions and responses that he would
Decide on.
Controlled Experience Sessions:
The most comprehensive forms of simulation Create a vast field organization and the participants are required to
Function in different key roles and deal with such situations as they would encounter in real life.
Role - Playing:
The best known but less elaborate form of simulation is role-playing. The purpose of role playing is to enable the
Participants to experience what something Feels like taking action and actually starting action.
TYPE OF ROLE PLAYING:
- Simple Role - Playing.
- Multiple Role Playing.
SIMULATION BY GAMES:
Another very important form of simulation is the game. Many people who use this tool for educational purposes
Prefer to call it simulations or simulation exercises rather than games because to those who are not familiar with gaming,
It suggests entertainment rather than a serious educational approach. In simulations which are described as games, the human
Participants act as decision Makers within a simulated system, generally in a competitive system. Training Program
in management make wide use of these games to select and train their personnel. These games are not only effective in
training their personnel in techniques of management and business operation, but they seem to have potential for research
in economic systems, industrial relations and many other social sciences. Hence their use has spread to academic
institutions also.
OTHER TYPES OF SIMULATIONS:
Besides these widely known simulation methods, a number of other simulation techniques have been developed
and used in training programmers in recent years.
IN BASKET PROBLEM:
The In-Basket Problem is usually employed as an individual decision-making exercise. Each members of the
training groups plays the role of an administrative officer in a hypothetical work situation and is required to take action
on letters memos and papers that he finds in his incoming mail.
INCIDENT PROCESS:
The incident Process begins with each trainee being given a brief description of an incident of importance in
a situation under review. The trainees study the situation either individually or in groups for about fifteen minutes and
decide on what they need to know in order to clarify the issues involved in the situation.
DESIGNING SITUATION:
Regardless of the types of simulation being designed, the process of designing them in similar. Before Starting
To construct a simulation game or exercise, its educational objective has to be defined and at every stage of the design
attempts should be made to meet this objective. Next, information has to be gathered or data to be developed to provide
the basis for the construction of the model. Then the basic structure of the game or simulation exercise has to be
determined and its elements, rules and regulations have to be formulated. The components, variables and their relationships
that have to be included in the model are to be identified or defined with good understanding and skill. Finally the
machanics of the game or the exercise must be devised in order the afford scope for decision making and calculation
of operating results as efficiently as possible during the play itself.
Simulation Methods: Outline Specifications:
|
a) Controlled Experienced. |
b) Role Playing |
c) Business Games |
| Participants Role. |
Player |
Player/Observer |
Player/Colleague or Competitor. |
| Data |
Normal working |
Self Generated |
Normal working data |
| Trainers Role |
Organizer, Conductor Or Review. |
Organizer, Conductor Or Review. |
Organizer, Conductor or Review. |
| Time required |
2 sessions |
1 to 15 mts |
2 sessions. |
| Trainer Requirements:Ratio |
1 to 8 |
1 to 20 |
1 to 20 |
| Time Preparation: |
High, depending on Materials. |
1 to 2 hrs. |
High depending on Materials |
| Facilities Required. |
Real Setting Nothing eg. Desks,Special working Telephones etc. |
|
One room for 4 or 5 participants |
ADVANTAGES:
There are several advantages of simulation which make it highly suitable to meet needs of training. It Permits
The experimenters to study the process in ways that real life prohibits. It is essentially a technique for managing,
Separating and observing related segments of the seamless. Web of phenomenal complexity of real life. An
Experimenter can run the simulation several times by changing the in outs of the components, variables and their
Interrelationships and can study the outcome which it is not possible to do real life. Conway, Johnson and Maxwell
Sum up this advantages thus: Simulation is often described as a means of incorporating a fourth dimension time
In what have previously of necessity been static methods of analysis.
Simulation permits the trainer to compress or expand real time. He can simulate the operations of a system over
a period of years in a matter of minutes, or he can slow down the process so that the can carefully analyze and study
Phenomena.
Where practicing a new skill in full reality is dangerous or expensive or impractical, it is possible to design training
Opportunities by simulating those situations which are one step removed from real life. For instance the field area may
Be in such a stage of development that it may not provide on opportunity for trainees to learn certain specific types of
Skills. To meet such needs, the simulation exercise is a real aid to overcome the difficulty existing in real life.
At times a simulation exercise can be used to explain the general approach of the training program. For instance
If a training programme provides both for controlling and allowing the trainees to exercise their initiative, a simulation exercise
Including activities that control and allow freedom to exercise initiative could be administered more effectively than using the
Lecture method.
Another Purpose for which simulation can be used in a training programme is to unfreeze the students. That is
In the early stage of the training programme, the training events should be such that they offer maximum stimulation to
The participants and thus involve them by arousing their motivation. For instance an incident process could be effectively
Employed by describing an ancident and asking the trainees to map the course of action they would take and to submit it
Writing. This could be later discussed by the trainer. This unfreezing will motivate them for learning during the next
Phases of the training programme.
Very often if training programmes divide the whole class of trainees into small groups for practical
Experience and are required to report back to the entire class about their achievements and failtures; it is noticed
That the groups evince such competitive behavior that forbids them to learn from each others experiences, In such
Situations, methods of interview and counseling to provide interpretation are either impractical or too treatening but
a simulation game which aims at driving home the futility of only provide the necessary insight but will also help the
members to realize that they belong to a larger group whose aim is to learn more.
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