Social simulation scenarios will be tested at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences

“In spite the fact that social simulations are widely used in various levels of education, literature on the methodologies for educators on designing simulations is surprisingly limited and unsatisfying. By involving in the testing of simulation scenarios, international week participants will help us to generate knowledge to discover and show the potential of social simulations to any educator or trainer willing to diversify their teaching and study practice”, says head of communication, media and governance studies, lecturer Agnese Dāvidsone.

During the week, from November 6-8, training for teachers and students will be organized - testing of simulation and discussions about the simulation process, content and the necessary changes. Simulation testing will be a part of the SimGames project dissemination event, not only allowing people to learn about social simulations as a study method, but also offering them a hands-on simulation experience.

In addition to the participants of the International Week, ViA lecturers and students, SimGames project partners from Vilnius University (VU) and University of Tartu (TU) will participate in the simulation scenario testing. The collaboration in framework of communication and media studies between lecturers and researchers of the three Baltic States higher education institutions has developed over the years by implementing various projects together. ViA initiated this project in order to give the university lecturers the opportunity to engage in professional development as well as to exchange experience with foreign academic staff. The European Commission has previously acknowledged that teachers in the European Union Member States can devote limited time to the development of their pedagogical skills, which creates the risk that learning methods, which promote student's active involvement in the study process, are not fully integrated into the studies.

The project also includes work on the development of methodological materials for the use of social simulations in higher education, as well as a prototype for an interactive digital learning platform based on virtual reality solutions.

SimGames project will result in development of study methods that allow students to acquire skills and experiences for their career advancement through activities that are based on real-world problems in blended learning environment, and through meaningful application of digital tools.

The European Union Erasmus+ programme Key Action 2 (KA2) Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices strategic partnership for higher education project “Simulation Games in  Strategic Communication” (2018-1-LV01-KA203-046981) is being implemented from December 1, 2018, to May 31, 2021.