Use of distance learning to teach discrete event simulation

SUMMARY

The increased demand for training in discrete event simulation prompted innovation in the manner in which learning materials are packaged and presented to students. Analysis revealed that professionals responded better to a nonlinear, interest-driven approach to learning versus a standard classroom environment and presentation. This approach was also appealing as it allowed course information to be organised and stored in granular chunks, permitting the creation of a database of reusable learning objects. By leveraging the global penetration of the Internet with Flash technology, it is possible to offer an economical new style of learning to an essentially infinite classroom size. An electronic learning system for discrete event simulation was designed and implemented that embodied each of these concepts.

Key words: :

• discrete event simulation
• online distance learning
• Flash
• learning objects