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Becoming a great simulation designer

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Saved by Richard Clark
on June 14, 2006 at 8:36:46 pm
 

Hi I'm Peter Shea.

 

As an instructional designer, I'm in love with simulations.

 

I'm interested in a discussion about the path to becoming a great simulation designer (as a non-programmer). Suggestions can include reading lists, organizations to join, projects to tackle, etc. I look forward to hearing what other people think.

 

Richard Clark, occasional LCB contributor, says:

 

Hi Peter,

 

As a simulation developer myself (having built several highly effective industrial-strength simulations in Flash), let's start with the skills every good simulation designer needs:

  • Selecting the appropriate type of simulation (knowing each types relative strengths and weaknesses)
  • Determining the appropriate scope
  • Modeling the system under simulation
  • Making design decisions based on a well-developed model of how people learn
  • Mapping skills/practices to be learned to scenarios in the simulation
  • Choosing linear media vs. simulation scenarios
  • Structuring the experience for maximum engagement

 

I'd suggest 5 books initially:

 

  1. Learning by Doing, Clark Aldrich -- Gives you an overview of the world of simulation and practical advice on talking to the people who control the purse-strings.
  2. Virtual Learning, Roger Schank -- Gives you a solid foundation for thinking about how people learn from simulations. Also contains many case studies of practical simulation designs.
  3. Engaging Learning, Clark Quinn -- Clark lays his brilliant mind out in print, helping you design engaging games and simulations.
  4. The Fifth Discipline, Peter Senge -- The best book on modeling business problems (and the world at large).
  5. Chris Crawford on Interactive Storytelling, Chris Crawford -- Breaks down how you design the interface for games, simulations, and interactive stories. This also helps you think about turning points in a story (and in a simulation, which is sort of the ultimate reader-controlled story.) Chris is one of the world's best game designers and writes with wonderful clarity.

 

I could suggest many more, but these will give you the most value for your money. There are other books I can recommend depending on the subject area, whether you start shading into the development and programming side, doing user testing, quality assurance, etc.

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