Beyond Gamification: Using Immersive Real Life Simulations to Engage and Inspire

Audience Level: 
All
Institutional Level: 
Higher Ed
Strands (Select 1 top-level strand. Then select as many tags within your strand as apply.): 
Abstract: 

Immersive learning, where learners must make decisions and see the consequences of those decisions, have a great impact on learner success both in and out of the classroom. This session will demonstrate a high-tech simulation-based learning course and then show beginners how to get started with their own immersive learning simulations.

Extended Abstract: 

While research into the effectiveness of game-based learning is still inconclusive, one thing is for certain: When learners are asked to apply classroom learning to real-life situations, their retention and comprehension is greatly improved. Textbook publishers are beginning to recognize this fact and are adding callouts to show learners how reading assignments apply in the real world, but is that enough?

Immersive learning, where learners must make decisions and see the consequences of those decisions, have a great impact on learner success both in and out of the classroom. Learners are better prepared for exams and for job interviews when they truly understand the application of their knowledge. Creating opportunities that utilize technology to transcend even traditional case-study based learning can be instrumental in closing the divide between graduation and workforce readiness.

This session will show the audience how a truly immersive simulation-based course works, as well as the research and learner reactions to the course. The presentation will conclude with a short list of tools that even the most novice instructors can begin using right now to start building immersive learning simulations.

Conference Session: 
Concurrent Session 1
Session Type: 
Discovery Session