One of the most effective ways to inspire others is to demonstrate what is possible, and then to explain how it is possible.
And one way to do that is to use a simulation game.
There are many different forms of simulation game from the imagination playground games we remember as children, to sophisticated and highly realistic computer simulations.
The purpose is the same: to have the experience without the risk and cost of doing it for real; to learn from the experience; and to increase our chance of success in the real world.
Simulations are very effective educational tools because we can simplify, focus, practice, pause, rewind, and reflect.
They are also very effective exploration tools for developing our understanding of hows things work. We need to know that before we can make things work better.
And anyone who has tried it will confirm: creating an effective and enjoyable simulation game is not easy. It takes passion, persistence and practice and many iterations to get it right.
And that in itself is a powerful learning experience.
This week the topic of simulations has cropped up several times.
Firstly, the hands-on simulations at the Flow Design Practical Skills Workshop and how they generated insight and inspiration. The experience certainly fired imaginations and will hopefully lead to innovations. For more click here …
Secondly, the computer simulation called the “Save The NHS Game” which is designed to illustrate the complex and counter-intuitive behaviour of real systems. The rookie crew “crashed” the simulated healthcare system, but that was OK, it was just a simulation. In the process they learned a lot about how not to improve NHS productivity. For more click here …
And later the same day being a crash-test dummy for an innovative table-top simulation game using different sizes and shapes of pasta and an ice tray to illustrate the confusing concept of carve-out! For more click here …
And finally, a fantastic conversation with Dr Bryn Baxendale from the Trent Simulation Centre about how simulation training has become a growing part of how we train individuals and teams, especially in clinical skills, safety and human factors.
In health care systems engineering we use simulation tools in the diagnosis, design and delivery phases of complex improvement-by-design projects. So learning how to design, build and verify the simulation tools we need is a core part advanced HCSE training. For more click here …
Lots of simulation sTimulation. What a great week!