Case Study - Business Simulations at GCU

Module: International Business Strategy
Level: Undergraduate
Management Simulation: Phone Ventures
Number of Students: 390
Lecturer: Dr. Keith Halcro

WHY DID YOU CONSIDER USING Business SIMULATIONS?

“I’ve always observed that students like to do things rather than be taught at. The idea of a simulation game allows students to exercise their own competences and capabilities in decision-making and problem-solving, and to learn from success and failure. The simulation game is also a great way of encouraging team-working.”

How Are Students Assessed On The Module?

“Students get a certain amount of their marks based on their performance on the game. The majority of the marks actually come from writing a strategic plan for the company [they managed in the simulation] and within the report students provide a rationale for the decisions they undertook during the simulation.”

What Feedback Have You Received From Your Students?

The module feedback has been very encouraging. Here are some examples of the students' feedback:

“The simulation game is an interesting and immersive way of experiencing the business environment.”
“I’ve really enjoyed the learning experience of the simulation game and running your own organisation. I’m a very analytical person so I’ve enjoyed the market analysis and strategic planning.”
“The game has been fun, it’s stimulating to evaluate and make decisions upon multiple aspects of the business and apply them to a realistic scenario.”