The Simulation Triad

This chapter contributes to the discussion on how best to theorise relationships among learning preferences, simulations, role plays and games as modes for learning. It describes the development of a framework called the Simulation Triad which is used to better define online role play by positioning it in relation to simulation and games as a teaching method. For designers of online simulations, the Simulation Triad, and the complementary Design Space Framework, will illustrate design choices around problems, rules and roles, clarifying that designs for role-based simulation emphasise interaction between roles to resolve a problem rather than focus on rules that solve a problem. The examples in this chapter will demonstrate how role-based simulation, with its emphasis on student-to-student interaction and group work to research authentic problems, is a learning design for transforming university teaching into learning.