By SchoolSims
Topics: Simulations in Education, Experiential Learning Strategies, Blended Learning Impact, Accelerating Professional Development, Interactive Learning Environments, Transforming Educator Training, Practical Skill Application, Real-World Learning Simulations
Developing new skills or changing behaviors is an ongoing journey—one with no final destination. As we navigate through life, we continually evolve, adding new skills and adapting our behaviors to meet changing circumstances. Sometimes, this process is intentional, guided by deliberate learning and structured development. Other times, we are challenged to keep pace with unexpected demands. Regardless of how it unfolds, this journey consists of two key components.
First, we must identify the necessary knowledge associated with the new skill—understanding what it is, how it should be performed, and why it matters. Second, and just as crucial, is the opportunity to practice applying that knowledge. This is where “learning through doing” comes in—experience allows us to integrate new insights with what we already know while exploring different ways to apply them in real-world scenarios. Ideally, this practice occurs in a safe space, where we can take risks, make mistakes, and refine our approach—learning through action. This is the essence of Blended Learning, where content is paired with application, particularly through Simulations, to create a dynamic and engaging learning experience. Browser-based Simulations, in particular, provide a scalable, immersive, and risk-free environment for this type of experiential learning.
In K-12 education, despite centuries of experience in teaching both children and adults, we continue to gain new insights into how humans learn and how the world evolves. With increasing diversity in student backgrounds, shifting educational landscapes, and emerging technologies, the need for ongoing professional development is more critical than ever.
Numerous research-based frameworks and methodologies—such as Danielson, Marzano, Learning Science, Improvement Science, Balanced Leadership, and many others—offer valuable guidance for educators. Books, studies, thought leaders, and case studies introduce impactful strategies to enhance teaching and leadership practices. However, content alone is only half the equation. Experience is what truly brings these ideas to life, enabling educators to internalize new knowledge, adapt it to their unique contexts, and apply it effectively in real time. The challenge is that learning through trial and error—the ‘school of hard knocks’—can be both painful and expensive. So, how can schools harness the power of safe, scalable, real-world experience?
This is where Simulations become a powerful tool. By providing realistic, interactive scenarios, Simulations bridge the gap between theory and practice, allowing educators to apply, reflect on, and refine their skills in a risk-free environment. Simulations enhance the impact of any educational framework, offering participants the opportunity to practice applying concepts as they manifest in complex, unpredictable, real-world ways. More importantly, Simulations accelerate the time-to-value for schools, helping them realize the benefits of their investments in teaching and leadership effectiveness more quickly—ultimately improving student achievement.
A key advantage of Simulations is that schools do not need custom-designed Simulations to see their benefits—the same Simulations can be applied across multiple educational frameworks and initiatives. From a design perspective, the fundamental distinction between Content and Simulations is that Content is focused on specific skills, competencies, and standards, whereas Simulations are built around the flow-of-time in a particular context.
Content is linear—it presents concepts one at a time, emphasizing structured knowledge. Simulations mimic the flow of time in the life of an educator or administrator, replicating the messy reality of decision-making in schools.
In a Simulation, the timeline is structured around the emergence of a particular problem of practice in a specific context. Participants are placed in realistic decision-making scenarios, where they must navigate challenges, make judgment calls, and experience the consequences of their choices. This focus on experience allows participants to draw upon their lived experience, personal style, and knowledge of any content or frameworks they are engaged in learning.
The goal of a Simulation is not to teach a single “right way” of doing something, but rather to create an opportunity for participants to apply their insights, test their judgment, and experience the impact of their decisions. The result? Enhanced critical thinking skills that can be applied to any educational content or initiative.
Ultimately, Simulations empower educators to move beyond passive learning, engage actively with new concepts, and develop the confidence to implement best practices in their classrooms and schools. By accelerating the time-to-value of professional development initiatives, Simulations enable meaningful, lasting change—enhancing teaching, leadership, and student outcomes.
If you’re interested in how simulations and self-debriefing can enhance leadership development and better prepare future school leaders, fill out the form below to connect with us.
Jong, David De, and Sara Dexter. “Experiential Learning through Simulations in Fully Online Asynchronous Courses: Exploring the Role of Self-Debriefing.” The Internet and Higher Education, 1 Oct. 2024, pp. 100976–100976, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1096751624000381?via%3Dihub, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2024.100976.