Simulation Pedagogy in Business Studies: Helping Bridge the Gap Between Theory and Practice

Abstract

Simulation-based learning suits both technical and non-technical skills training well. Non-technical skills imply decision-making and communication skills, as well as management, negotiation, and teamworking skills. All of these are timeless general core competencies and necessary in all fields of working life. Simulation-based learning has been researched and developed for a long time in healthcare education. Many Finnish universities of applied sciences exploit simulation pedagogy in healthcare education. This study presents practical experiences of simulation-based learning in business education. A development project has been carried out with companies and students in simulation workshops at Lahti University of Applied Sciences. The case study presented in this paper is related to financial management and business taxation studies. The developing work has been examined from different angles: students’ experiences, learning outcomes, and teachers' views. In this presentation, the preliminary results of the research and experiences of the case project will be discussed.