With the rapid advancement of technological support systems, new and excited learning possibilities are being realized. We know that learning is exciting when it stimulates the mind and engages a student's natural enthusiasm to explore and grow. Learners engage learning when it is both an intellectual and emotional experience. Simulations and Educational Games are two of the most exciting blends of technology and learning opportunities.

The human race is enslaved my computers: technology. Humans are artificially bio-reproduced and plugged into a life support system including a neural interface. The neural interface fools the human into believing in a simulated world created by software: The Matrix. Okay. This may seem a little fantastic, but it is more in the realm of science fiction than of fantasy. Our virtual reality technology is not there yet. However, it has found practical application in many fields and is being deployed often in the wrapper of simulations.

Virtual reality is only one simulation delivery mode. What makes a simulation a simulation?

Like most concepts, opinions differ on the definition

Figure 2 illustrates the idea that not all simulations are educational games. And, not all educational games are simulations. There is an overlap called simulation games.

From Alessi & Trollip (2001), “simulations can enhance safety, provide experiences not readily available in reality, modify time frames, make rare events more common, control the complexity of the learning situation for instructional benefit, and save money (p. 226).

With every technological advancement, with every new innovative teaching/learning strategy, there are both advantages and disadvantages. In my opinion, the advantages of simulations far exceed the disadvantages.

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