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Simulations and gamesOvercoming the barriers to their use in higher educationUniversity of Plymouth, UK, jmoizer{at}plymouth.ac.uk
University of Plymouth, UK, jlean{at}plymouth.ac.uk
University of Plymouth, UK, MikeTowler{at}bppls.com
University of Plymouth, UK, cabbey{at}plymouth.ac.uk Based on a categorization of simulation and gaming barriers developed in a previous study, this work seeks to explore in greater depth the composition and nature of these obstacles. It examines the interrelationships between the barriers and the impact of other contextual factors in the pedagogic environment. A series of in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 staff involved in teaching with simulations and games within a UK higher education institution. The findings underline the significant linkages apparent between three broad barriers to teaching with simulations, games and role-play: suitability, resource and risk. Further analysis of the interview transcripts facilitated the identification of a range of mechanisms which may be employed to overcome the aforementioned barriers: freeing up academics time, providing training and development, enabling informal learning, providing resource support, facilitating access to networks and providing access to secondary information sources. These mechanisms are discussed and evaluated in relation to the broader educational context.
Key Words: barriers games resource risk role-play simulations suitability
Active Learning in Higher Education, Vol. 10, No. 3,
207-224 (2009) |
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