Network-Based Business Simulation Activities in Technical Professional Education

For a long time on-the-job training has been considered as the single point of contact of technical education with the real world job market. Indeed, traditional on-the-job training activities are of great educational value and complement uniquely any classroom-based learning activity. However, it has been observed that several obstacles arise when integrating on-the-job training with traditional learning and that new network-based tools can be used to improve the situation. Following this concept, in this paper we introduce a network-assisted educational structure for business simulation activities which can be considered as an alternative or a complement to on-the-job training activities in technical professional education. Business Simulation Activities are based on the execution of business scenarios in a controlled educational environment with support by network tools. A simulation of the real world business environment is created and virtual companies are established in order to participate in a virtual marketplace using network-based learning support and aiming to provide on-the-job experience without the shortcomings of traditional on-the-job training. An operational structure, network distribution, implementation issues, as well as some experience from a pilot implementation of the concept, are presented in this paper.