Simulations
Simulations are creative means of instruction that teachers can use to incorporate material into the classroom. Simulations have proven to be one of the most successful additions teachers can use to plan their curriculum. Over the past several years, students have enthusiastically used simulations to assist them in learning subject matter.
There are several types of programs that teachers can use, i.e. interactive units, writing programs and Individual Learning Projects (ILPs). Interactive units are similar to simulations in that the students are organized into small groups which interact in some way, but in a normal classroom environment. Simulations allow students to interact via computer programs. Writing programs can be used to teach expository essay writing, poetry writing, journal keeping and "note-taking and note-making." Individual Learning Projects are designed for individuals or small groups who work independently of the rest of the class. These activities could include research and essay writing. They are most often use by "pull-out programs" in classes where four or five students are given special assignments on day a week.
Simulations can be used to promote (1) an integrated curriculum wherein several academic subjects are integrated so that connections are made between the subjects, (2) cooperative learning wherein students interact with others to enhance the learning experience, (3) writing to learn wherein students continually write about their own experiences and therefore learn more and become confident writers, (4) the integration of technology into the classroom and (5) authentic assessment which would include written work and other projects kept in an organized portfolio system.
There are several websites that can be used for interactive simulations. One website, www.interact-simulations.com, contains many interactive classroom simulations. They have over 300 simulations that cover most content areas for grades K-12 and each can be adjusted to meet the needs of the students. Science, for example, can utilize simulation programs such as Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Virtual Frog Dissection Kit or the University of Virginia's Net Frog wherein dissection can take place in the simulated world. The procedure follows a typical lesson, including teacher introduction, student experimentation, manipulation, assessment, etc. A simulated experiment allows students to make mistakes and learn from them. It can also allow a student who objects to dissecting real frogs to learn the same concepts by utilizing a simulated dissection.
In school districts where a lack of funding and resources is a major concern, students can take a virtual tour of various museums, including the Smithsonian Institution. Therefore, online simulations offer a great chance for students to work in a learner-focused environment and be able to use technology, simulate real-life scenarios, and make and correct mistakes. In this way the twenty-first-century skills our students need to survive in today’s world can be emphasized.
