Advantage Of Simulation In Online Project Management Education Emergent Research Forum (Erf)

Online/Distance education (DE) courses are one of many impacts digital disruption has had on higher education. Simulations are a type of active learning method that are important to incorporate in DE project management courses to engage students and give them practical experience. This research study sought to determine how students respond to the use of a simulation to learn project management concepts. A small group of 24 students taking a graduate project management course were assigned a project management simulation. A survey and a lessons-learned session were used to help determine if the simulation assisted the students in a better understanding of project management concepts. Student self-reporting indicated proficiency levels rose in at least three project management knowledge areas of scope, time and cost after the simulation exercise. Researchers concluded students responded well in project management courses to the addition of a simulation exercise instead of using a textbook alone.