Un enfoque innovador del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje en la dirección de empresas: el uso de simuladores en el ámbito universitario

Authors

Daniel Arias ArandaSalto de línea Carmen Haro DomíguezSalto de línea Mª Mercedes Romerosa MartínezSalto de línea Andrés J. Navarro-PauleSalto de línea Universidad de Granada. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales. Granada. España.

Abstract

An innovative approach to the learning process in management: the use of simulators in higher educationSalto de línea Salto de línea This paper analyses how the usage of simulation games can improve the university teaching/learning process. While traditional education methodology focuses on the teaching process, the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) emphasizes the student learning process. Therefore, both student and teacher functions in the lecture room must be redrawn. This approach also makes it necessary to analyze whether traditional teaching methods are suitable or not. Furthermore, teaching tools also evolve, from tools that support the teacher knowledge-delivery process to new tools, such as simulation, where students play an important role in their own learning process. Simulation allows the teacher to observe student behaviour in a monitored situation. By so doing, the teacher can evaluate not only the capabilities but also the attitudes of tomorrow’s managers in the decision-making process. Results from three academic years of experiments with students of the University of Granada Business School show the importance of simulation in the student self-assessment process. The methodology describes six sequential stages designed to involve students progressively in this new way of learning. When moving through these stages, the student covers different aspects of the knowledge absorption and exploitation process. The conclusions show how theoretical knowledge delivered in the classroom can benefit from simulation; simulation enables students to build transversal capacities, such as management abilities and team working, on top of their theoretical knowledge. It is all these capabilities together that will determine the success of future managers in a highly competitive labour market.

Keywords

Simulation, Business Administration, teaching and learning, EHEA, ICT.