Learning Team Reflection Angela Lewis (Alcoset), Dawn Nyberg, J. Troy McMurtrey, Tammie Scott ETH /316 January 16, 2012 Ted Haas Learning Team Reflection Simulations administer a productive learning environment for students. The use of simulations in education is becoming an effective tool for students and offers several benefits. A major benefit of simulations is that it enhances the problem solving skills of a student. This week Team D went through two simulations that allowed us to make ethical decisions based on the four lenses, where each had a different perspective in the decision-making process. In this summary, Team D will compare and contrast the usefulness of doing assignments based on simulations as opposed to writing paper s that answer questions. Team D will also make a decision regarding which we prefer as a team and provide the reasons. When comparing the usefulness of doing assignments based on simulations as opposed to writing papers that mostly answer questions, Team D finds there are differences between the two. Doing assignments based on simulations is a structured approach, which gives the opportunity for a more hands learning experience. Writing papers that mostly answer questions is a different approach that externalizes our learning. One needs to find information to answer the questions asked when writing a paper. This may require some research and a different thought process than simulation learning. Therefore, we can say that simulations are an internalized approach to learning and writing papers that mostly answer questions is an approach that externalizes the information. When contrasting the usefulness of doing assignments based on simulations as opposed to writing papers that mostly answer questions, Team D finds the simulation process is more interactive, and a student can retain the information better when involved in the process. Writing a paper is reading questions that are sometimes abstract, researching the answers, and writing what the student thinks is the response the teacher is looking for. With the writing of a paper process, the information is often times forgotten as soon as the student turns in the paper. Throughout simulations, the student is using his or her own thoughts and experiences and applying the issues to real world applications. While doing a paper and researching the material may be old or theoretical and may not apply to today’s society and its issues. Simulations provide results immediately and give feedback to the student regarding the decisions made. When turning in a paper the student’s anticipation of a grade could cause a loss of interest in the content. As a group, Team D agrees that using simulations make understanding easier. Simulations provide an interactive approach rather than simply reading and attempting to understand what the author’s intent was. Simulations also provide counsel for choices that may not be the most appropriate for a given situation. This is helpful in learning and is similar to what traditional learning environments refer to as mentoring. Simulations also reinforce and validate choices, and make suggestions to improve good or bad choices. Team D agrees that simulations provide for an easy way to understand experience that moves along, maintaining our attention.