ONLINE SCENARIO SIMULATION EXERCISES: BENEFITS FOR ADULT LEARNING IN SECURITY STUDIES

Dr. Irmak Renda-Tanali
University of Maryland University College

Abstract

This research was conducted based on the premise that through scenario-based online simulation exercises tangible benefits in student learning can be achieved. Since it is understood that textbooks and lectures do not adequately capture the dynamic, time-sensitive, context-dependent, multi-disciplinary nature of emergency and crisis scenarios, this research attempted to assess the real benefit of online exercise simulation tools for criminal justice, emergency management, and security related studies at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. The study is based on 3 courses that used online (computerized) simulation-based exercises, 2 of them in undergraduate Criminal Justice program and 1 exercise offered in the graduate Homeland Security Management/Biosecurity and Biodefense program specialization at the University of Maryland University College (UMUC), the largest public university in the United States that provide distance and online education. A total of 95 (out of the total sample of 282) students responded to the survey. The majority of the students agreed that scenario simulation exercises helped them understand the material better, simulated real-world experience, helped in visualizing and conceptualizing, improved decision making skills, as well as communication and consensus gathering skills. Extensive correlation analyses were conducted with the quantitative data generated from this research. There are interesting findings that correlate the degree of satisfaction about individual features of the exercises and student demographics. The statistics generated through this research can lay a foundation for further detailed studies that assess the effectiveness of online scenario-based simulation tools.

Keywords

Adult education, Distance education, Online education, Simulation, Scenario-based learning.

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