Tools & Technologies

DO ONE: TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES

This guide will provide an overview of the TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES to develop a playful simulation. It includes:

  • the ADDIE framework
  • a list of online repositories with simulation examples 
  • a list of possible authoring tools that you can use to develop your simulation, followed by tutorials to get familiarized with the tools

CONTENT

EXERCISES / TASKS

LEARNING OUTCOMES

DO ONE: TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES
  • The ADDIE Model as a tool for designing simulations (Principles and Stages of Instructional Design)
  • Repositories of simulation examples
  • Simulation Authoring Tools
  • Get familiarized with ADDIE
  • Explore existing simulations - Read reviews for each simulation (if available)
  • Explore and write down the main characteristics and functions of at least two authoring tools
  • Select an authoring tool - Read reviews for each tool (if available)
  • Reflections - Learning journal entry
  • Identify the main stages of Instructional Design
  • Understand and describe how each stage applies to develop a playful simulation
  • Identify playful simulations in repositories
  • Identify the criteria for selecting and utilizing an authoring tool
  • Evaluate and choose a tool based on the criteria identified
  • Get introduced to creating simulations

The ADDIE Model as a tool for designing simulations

Instructional design (ID) is an umbrella term that includes the stages/ phases of a systematic process for designing, developing and delivering a learning experience. There are various models of instructional design in the literature (see Dick, Carey & Carey, 2005), which are based on the major phases of ID: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation & Evaluation. In general, models vary in the way they place emphasis or elaborate on each of the phases. In the digital era, the learning experiences that ID often refers to include online courses, instructional manuals, video tutorials, simulations, etc.

One of the most common approaches to ID is the ADDIE model, which represents a cyclical process of the five phases of ID, and has been largely used for the design and development of learning processes, learning environments and instructional material (including multimedia, simulations and other). Gufstanson & Branch (2002) provide a brief and simple overview of the approach ID and ADDIE approaches.

The ADDIE Model Infographic created by the e-learning Industry (Education Infographics available at https://elearninginfographics.com/the-addie-model-infographic/)  provides an overview of the cyclical process of ADDIE and how the phases interact with one another.

Watch this playlist on ADDIE phases and how to design computer-based activities:

Repositories of simulation examples

Here are some examples of simulations. In this section, you need to explore the repositories and select simulations in your fields of interest. 

Simulation Authoring Tools

Here are some authoring tools you can explore for developing your simulation. At this stage, you need to explore and evaluate the tools and make some thoughts on which you could use for creating your own playful simulation.

Did you know that you can even use software that you are already familiar with to create simulations? Take a look at the following video on "How to Create an Interactive Software Simulation in PowerPoint".

Let's reflect on what we have learned...

Before moving on, take some time to reflect in your learning journal on a couple of central considerations and questions when doing teaching and learning through simulations:

  1. How can the ADDIE model be applied to design and create a simulation?
  2. Can you search and retrieve simulations in your field from online repositories?
  3. Can you select an authoring tool and start creating your own simulation?
  4. Which criteria did you use to select the authoring tool?