Learn By Doing: using simulations to help students learn better.

“NBEA has been one of our most effective conferences in terms of connecting us with instructors who are passionate and creative about teaching business,” says Tim Sams, Director of Marketing at Interpretive Simulations. “It’s the primary reason we decided to join because the interests of NBEA are our interests and we’ve found both the members, as well as the organization staff, extremely professional and eager to work with us.”

Interpretive Simulations has been developing and publishing business simulations since 1986. They have eleven simulations, typically used in marketing, management, or strategy classes (from intro to capstone classes). For students, the experience provides the connection between “concept” and “practice”, which is a vital component for any business student.

“Students learn best when they get a chance to apply the business principles they’re learning in your class to an actual scenario or situation,” says Sams, who has been with the company since 2010.

Instructors typically “adopt” a simulation, similar to the way they would adopt a textbook. Students then purchase the simulation and have a set of deadlines to make decisions over the course of the term. The simulation scenario sets them up in the role of manager, director, or in some cases the management team of a business with a particular challenge.

But before they adopt a simulation for their course, Interpretive provides ample opportunity for instructors to see the simulation in action. Each instructor is assigned a Customer Relationship Manager who plays an important role in answering the instructor’s questions about the simulation. “We’re happy to do walkthroughs of the simulation with instructors to help them see for themselves how the simulation will help them teach their class,” Sams said. Instructors are encouraged to play the simulation in advance, even before they adopt, to see how it works for them.

It’s not just a simulation though—along with the simulation come assignments and additional learning materials that the instructor can use to help students understand the material more deeply. The simulation and resources together have become a vital resource for the thousands of instructors from around the world who use Interpretive each year.

Most of Interpretive’s simulations come with helpful videos and easy access materials to help students get started. They also provide abundant instructor resources to help them integrate it into their class.

Interpretive also provides complete coverage for students’ questions or need for technical support. The instructor won’t need to address technical questions, login problems, etc. Interpretive’s support staff also answers general questions about the simulation—though they don’t tell what decisions to make!

In the end, students rave about the experience. “I had a group of MBA students from UVA tell me once that the experience with our simulation was the pinnacle of their experience in grad school,” says Sams.

Expect to see Interpretive around at NBEA, because they’re passionate and eager to help instructors do what they do best.

Find out more about Interpretive Simulations at interpretive.com