JISC

Start date: 1 October 2000

End date: 31 March 2002

Funding programme: Learning and Teaching (5/99) programme

Project website: http://www.bized.ac.uk/virtual/

This project is part of the Enhancing JISC data services for Teaching and Learning project cluster in this particular programme. The main focus of projects in this cluster is to improve use of existing JISC owned resources through the JISC data services for learning and teaching.

Background

The Virtual Learning Arcade project builds on the successful development of the Virtual Economy, an interactive model of the UK economy developed by Biz/ed, the Business and Economics Subject Gateway.

The potential for learning and teaching offered by providing models and simulations via the Web is enormous. The Virtual Learning Arcade applies the philosophy behind the Virtual Economy to create a number of smaller scale simulations suitable for economics and business and a range of complementary learning materials.

Aims and Objectives

The overall aim of the project is to create 10-15 models and simulations in various areas of economics and business and develop materials to support their use within existing courses. The specific objectives are to:

• Explain complex business and economics theories to students in an interesting and interactive way
• Offer opportunities for students to test ideas and strategies on economics and business models
• Encourage the development of higher order analytical and evaluation skills by offering the opportunity to iteratively experiment in a controlled environment
• Provide a unique resource for lecturers that brings economics and business principles to life
• Give access to economics and business models to students from a wide range of backgrounds in a very effective way via the Web

Project design

The individual simulations will be sourced from a variety of areas and the project welcomes hearing from interested parties wishing to contribute and participate in the Virtual Learning Arcade. From each simulation a set of learning materials will be generated to help support and focus the use of the simulation in learning and teaching programmes. These materials will be designed to encourage the development of a range of skills from lower-order skills of knowledge and information to higher order evaluative and analytical skills. The materials will be presented in a variety of forms including interactive worksheets, case studies, explanations of theoretical principles and so on. All of the materials will be progressive and developmental in nature to make them accessible to as wide an audience as possible.

Outcomes

The results of the project will be made available through the Virtual Worlds section of the Biz/ed website and will be freely available to all users. Each simulation and associated materials will be made available once completed and user feedback will be encouraged to feed into further developments of the Virtual Learning Arcade.