SIMULATIONS AND THE FUTURE OF LEARNING: AN INNOVATIVE (AND PERHAPS REVOLUTIONARY) APPROACH TO E-LEARNING

Simulations and the Future of Learning offers trainers and educators the information and perspective they need to understand, design, build, and deploy computer simulations for this generation. Looking back on his recent first-hand experience as lead designer for an advanced leadership development simulation, author Clark Aldrich has created a detailed case study of the creation and deployment of an e-learning simulation that had the development cycle of a modern computer game. With this book Aldrich, a leader in the e-learning field, has created an intriguing roadmap for the future of learning while taking us along on an entertaining rollercoaster ride of trial and error, success and failure. Simulations and the Future of Learning outlines the design principles and critical decisions around any simulation's components— the interface, the physics and animation systems, the artificial intelligence, and sets and figures. Using this accessible resource, readers will learn how to create and evaluate successful simulations that have the following characteristics: authentic and relevant scenarios; applied pressure situations that tap user's emotion and force them to act; a sense of unrestricted options; and replayability.

Clark Aldrich is one of e-learning's most influential leaders. Analyst, columnist, author, speaker, entrepreneur, consultant, he recently lead the international team that created SimuLearn's Virtual Leader, a "concept car" that redefines e-learning's boundaries. Aldrich was the former research director at the Gartner Group where he was responsible for launching and building their e-learning coverage. He has was called out as an e-learning guru by Fortune and chosen as one of both Training magazine's and ASTD's visionaries of the industry.

Foreword.
Acknowledgments.
1. Do You Want Fries with that e-Learning?
Part One: The Simulation Way.
2. In the Game.
3. The Primary Colors of Content.
4. The e-Learning Arms Race.
5. The Myth of Subject-Matter Experts.
6. The Search for Content.
7. What Would a Leadership Situation Look Like?
8. Uncovering the Essence of Leadership.
9. The Lure of Linear Content.
Part Two: Modeling Reality.
10. Rules for a Post-Textbook World: Simulation Design Principles.
11. The Beginning of Open-Ended Content: Sets and Figures.
12. What Do People Do All Day? The Animation System.
13. The Ultimate Hurdle: The Dialogue System.
14. Modeling a Little World: The Physics System.
15. Modeling the Inhabitants: The AI System.
Part Three: Philosophical and Technical Realities.
16. A New Look at Work: The Interface System.
17. The Scariest Word of All: Gameplay.
18. Why Use Grades, Anyway? Metrics, Scores, and Simulations.
19. Virtual Leader vs. the World.
Part Four: The Way Ahead.
20. Seventeen Simulation Issues.
21. A Manifest Destiny: Simulations and the Training Industry.
Epilogue: Looking Back at Schools.
Glossary.
Appendix One: Raw Leadership Content.
Appendix Two: Organized Leadership Content.
Index.
About the Author.
Pfeiffer Publications Guide.