The importance of simulation in teaching and learning economics: The students’ perspective

Sierra, Javier Barros

doi:10.1080/14703297.2019.1647268

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The experience also showed that these activelearning methodologies help to enhance learning from a multi-disciplinary perspective, making it Effects of economic decisions possible to analyze different economic sectors and their connection with a number of SDGs through the lens of public economics. This is consistent with the existing literature that suggests that active-learning methodologies are beneficial when creating positive learning environments (Murillo-Zamorano et al, 2019;Whitton and Langan, 2019) and help students to gain essential skills and competencies (Baeten, et al, 2013;Dobrescu et al, 2015;Correa et al, 2016;Sierra, 2019Sierra, , 2020. Our findings lead to conclude that games and simulations can be a part of transforming economics, business and management curricula into powerful tools to achieve real change (Weybrecht, 2017;Edwards et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…To answer this question, the study presents an original teaching and learning method that consists of a simulation of three spheres of economic interactions (local, national and international), in which students have to address several problems with economic, social and environmental consequences (Blanchard and Buchs, 2015;Sierra, 2019). The local sphere is simulated using the SimCity computer game; the national sphere is replicated using the power grid board game; and the international sphere is recreated through the Ethica-the ethical finance game board game.…”

Section: Rq1mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The transforming generation: increasing student awareness about the effects of economic decisions on sustainability

Sierra

Suárez-Collado

2021

IJSHE

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Purpose There is a growing trend in higher education institutions to develop multi-disciplinary approaches to education for sustainable development and to implement student-centered and problem-based methodologies to increase student engagement and satisfaction. This paper aims to present an innovative methodology to increase student awareness about the effects of economic decisions on sustainability. Design/methodology/approach This method uses a videogame and two board games to simulate three spheres of economic interaction, namely, local, national and international. For every sphere, three key economic sectors and their relationships with fundamental sustainable development goals (SDGs) are addressed. This study uses pre- and post-simulation data to analyze the students’ perceptions regarding the usefulness of the simulations and their awareness about the effects of economic decisions on sustainability. Findings The implementation of this teaching and learning method demonstrated not only that active learning can effectively increase student awareness about the potential social and environmental consequences of economic decisions but also that students perceive games and simulations as useful teaching and learning tools. Social implications Students in these areas need to learn not only how to transform original ideas into successful projects but also to align financial results with social and environmental objectives. The methodology presented in this research allows to enhance learning from a multi-disciplinary perspective, helping the students to analyze different economic sectors and their connection with a number of SDGs through the lens of public economics. Originality/value The outbreak of the COVID-19 virus has shown the effects of a global pandemic at the economic, social and environmental levels. This paper presents an innovative active learning framework to increase sustainability awareness among students of economics, business and management.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Rq1mentioning

confidence: 99%

The transforming generation: increasing student awareness about the effects of economic decisions on sustainability

Sierra

Suárez-Collado

2021

IJSHE

Self Cite

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“…Management simulations such as SimCity also are used for social studies and economics learning. Sierra (2019) noticed that playing SimCity helps students understand how public sector interventions work. Students also improved their time management, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Entertainment Video Games for Academic Learning: A Systematic Review

Martinez

Gimenes

Lambert

2022

Journal of Educational Computing Research

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Entertainment video games are very popular among young audiences. Nevertheless, despite their potential to improve cognitive functioning, they are still studied rarely as a tool for digital game-based learning. To better understand video gaming practices’ value in the classroom, this article provides a systematic review of literature on the effect of entertainment video games on academic learning. Our literature search yielded 49 relevant intervention studies published between 2005 and 2019 that integrated entertainment video games into academic curricula from preschool to college. Our review revealed that entertainment video games can be an effective educational tool and are beneficial in almost all academic disciplines, particularly in foreign language and science. However, research on entertainment video gaming’s effects on academic learning is still not extensive enough and remains mostly qualitative. Future studies need to provide a quantitative approach to complete and confirm already-existing literature, particularly in the environmental and social sciences, physical education, and programming. Given entertainment video games’ popularity and benefits on cognition and learning, it seems essential to investigate their practical value further in the education sector and to determine the mechanisms that mediate their effects on academic learning.

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“…Against this backdrop, teaching and learning methodologies that require the students take an active role in their own learning, such as by developing their autonomy and independence, offering them the opportunity to reflect on their present and future responsibilities, fostering collaboration and discussion with their classmates, or enhancing self-fulfillment through attaining educational goals in a personalized or self-paced way, are powerful ways to increase student engagement and motivation within ESD [30]. Active learning strategies such as case studies, service learning, teamwork, role-play activities, collaborative learning, and problem-based tasks or projects are powerful to achieve these objectives [31][32][33], and can effectively increase student awareness regarding sustainability issues reflected in the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [34]. These methodologies include a variety of techniques that emphasize information transmission and skill development, which can be applied to put the students at the center of the learning experience, rather than simply leaving students in a passive position.…”

Section: Active Learning To Enhance Key Learning Outcomes For Education For Sustainable Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding Economic, Social, and Environmental Sustainability Challenges in the Global South

Sierra

Suárez-Collado

2021

Sustainability

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In an increasingly complex world, students of economics, business, and management must learn how to combine financial objectives with social and environmental aims. To that end, institutions, teachers, and curricula have a growing need for multidisciplinary approaches to reinforce education for sustainable development. This study presents a pilot project consisting of an innovative online simulation designed to help students understand the challenges that countries and companies from the Global South are facing to balance economic, social, and environmental objectives under sustainability criteria. This research uses quantitative and qualitative data provided by the students to assess the effectiveness of the methodology. The results indicate the usefulness of the methodology in helping students comprehend economic complexities in the Global South, as well as to assist them in acquiring key cognitive, skill-based, and affective educational outcomes. The combination of three active-learning methodologies (role-play, collaborative-learning, and inquiry-based learning) proved to be of high value to address sustainability-related issues in higher education and help students develop 21st-century skills.

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The importance of simulation in teaching and learning economics: The students’ perspective

Cited by 11 publications

References 17 publications

The transforming generation: increasing student awareness about the effects of economic decisions on sustainability

The transforming generation: increasing student awareness about the effects of economic decisions on sustainability

Entertainment Video Games for Academic Learning: A Systematic Review

Understanding Economic, Social, and Environmental Sustainability Challenges in the Global South

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