Simulations offer a deeper level of learning than other, more traditional approaches to education.

They expose students to a safe, risk-free learning environment where they can sharpen their skills, without the liabilities that come from being in a real-life situation.

But perhaps the most compelling aspect of simulation learning is that participants are immersed in incredibly authentic, true-to-life training exercises, thanks to the advancement of modern-day technology. 

And with the emergence of computer-generated experiences like virtual reality, simulations are only becoming more and more representative of true-life experiences.

This unique ability to participate in a lifelike learning exercise without actually being exposed to the hazards and unpredictability of real-life scenarios is, without a doubt, one of the greatest advantages of simulation-based learning, and a major reason why so many businesses, organizations, and educational institutions are turning to this method of learning to enhance their programs.

But how can business owners and organizational leaders be sure that simulation learning is the right solution for them? And what questions should they ask before investing in this technology?

These are questions that our team at ARC Reach has become accustomed to answering. So, we thought we’d share some of our top recommendations.

HERE ARE 3 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE INVESTING IN YOUR FIRST SIMULATION LEARNING EXPERIENCE:

1. DO I NEED TO BE ABLE TO PREDICT THE OUTCOMES MY EMPLOYEES OR STUDENTS WILL PRODUCE?

Let’s face it— in some industries and professional environments, there is little room for error. Aircraft pilots, heavy equipment operators, emergency responders, and many others must be able to complete their tasks in accordance to their training at all times, with minimal setbacks. Otherwise, lives could quite literally be at risk.

If you are training or educating individuals who will need to be able to perform with exceptional accuracy and precision, simulation training is likely a worthwhile solution for you.

Simulations allow employers and trainers to expose their workers to scenario-based learning exercises as many times as necessary in order to achieve the level of mastery they’re looking for. They also allow them to provide instant feedback, and monitor the performance progress of each individual who participates— adding a level of convenience that other educational methods can’t provide.

2. DO I REQUIRE MY EMPLOYEES OR WORKERS TO WORK TOGETHER COLLABORATIVELY TO ACHIEVE MY DESIRED OUTCOMES?

If you rely heavily on team-based execution in order to achieve your business goals, simulations are definitely something you should consider. The effectiveness of simulation training when it comes to fostering cooperation and collaboration is extremely high.

This is partly due to the fact that simulations can be created to include specific, predetermined roles. 

For example: If you are a healthcare facility that would like to train your healthcare providers to work more effectively as a team, you could create an emergency room simulation where one person is the physician, one person is the anesthesiologist, and another person is the paramedic who is delivering the patient to the ER department.

By creating these dynamic team-based exercises, you can further develop your team, preparing them to work together in harmony to accomplish goals and achieve performance expectations.

3. DO I NEED TO BE ABLE TO DEFINITIVELY MONITOR THE PERFORMANCE OF MY EMPLOYEES OR STUDENTS?

One of the most troublesome disadvantages of traditional classroom-style teaching is that feedback can often be delayed. Test scores take time to compile, and instructors are often restricted in how much time they can spend assessing the performance of each individual.

This, more often than not, leads to gaps in performance assessment. 

With simulation learning, however, this isn’t the case. Most simulation exercises, including the ones we offer in our ARC Reach app, come with built-in analytics and tracking, so business owners and educators can closely monitor how their employees or students are progressing.

From module completion times, to quiz scores and average time to competency, you’ll have all the metrics you need to accurately assess your training efforts and provide personalized feedback when necessary.

Are you ready to enhance your training program with the advantages of simulation-based learning? Contact us to book a demo. We’d be happy to discuss how we can help you achieve the results you’re looking for!