Simulations

Simulations are, in my terminology, a form of activity. They provide a learning experience. But a simulation cannot stand alone. Knowledge is required in order to complete a complex simulation. Unfortunately the process of acquiring that knowledge is often just an afterthought in many simulations. It is seen as a necessary evil, but not an integral and important element of the simulation.

In my observations most people will initially approach a simulation cold, the instruction manual or help screen, not even glanced at.

Then failure sets in.

That is the first level of knowledge of results that tells the user that they are not prepared for the task. The user starts to seek some help to build his or her knowledge to complete the simulation. How easy it is to access this help will determine whether the user will continue with the simulation. Therefore it is important that a simulation contains a complete contextual tutorial system that adapts the content according to the user’s needs.

Our Covered Bridge Simulation, developed in AgentSheets, is an example of a simulation that includes a fairly extensive tutorial.