The first accompanying teaching aids were traditionally the use of boards and cardboards with signs and pictures. However, things developed from there, and teachers brought aids, including live photographs, video feeds, classrooms for teaching. These days, game companies and developers incline towards making their games more realistic and educational. It has become clear that there is no question to whether games can be used to achieve academic purposes; the question is how to make the players get the fullest education possible with the games. Such games already exist, such as the Tower!3D Pro air traffic control simulator and Sentinel City for health and social workers. So, how can simulation games favor learning?
It is a cognitive enhancer:
Research has proven that people can easily relate to things and events that can be seen and heard. Hence, audio-visual aids are very instrumental in encouraging learning. Some decades ago, classes were taught in the most theoretical and abstract form. However, with technological advancement with 3D worlds, it is easy to present the students with reality in a virtual world. Fortunately, simulation games enhance that. So, learning becomes more real than just the abstract concepts, as students can see, understand, and identify parts and concepts of how things work in real life. Simulation games help enhance some cognitive skills that include deep learning, transformative learning, decision-making skills, critical thinking, and scientific reasoning.
Improves Retention:
The problem of some students is that while they understand concepts when taught in class, they soon forget them. Scientific research and experimentation have proven that it is easy for people to recover what they have seen before, both consciously or unconsciously. Hence, the good thing with simulation is that when students are given good-quality visual presentations of an event, a concept, or an image, it is easy for them to recall them. There have been a few testimonies from people who play games like Tower!3D Pro, confirming that players can remember some technical terms, as used in the air traffic control simulator game.
Simulation offers an environment of challenges, placing students in that virtual/visual environment. That helps them to assume roles, take responsibility for actions, and manage their ways to success. Such skills that drive success are mostly remembered and can be replicated in real-life.
Motivation:
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” is a true saying for all ages. Well, except if Jack is a robot! Simulation games are a great motivation for students or persons to take a break from serious work activities and to have fun while relaxing. Studies also have proven that learning is more permanent when done in fun ways and that allowing the brain to rest from serious work can also enhance its cognitive functioning.
Enhanced Behavioral Skills:
Simulation games are also impactful in driving behavioral skills such as relationship and team building. Online games that allow multi-players and team play strengthen relationship bonds, conflict resolution, and organizational skills. Aviation is one of the leading industries optimizing stimulation through games such as the air traffic control simulator.