Students are taught the considerations behind the decisions any business owner makes. The simulation covers many issues in-depth, including: Organisation; Finance; Operations; and Sales & Marketing. As a result, users learn how decisions made about one aspect of a business affects all others.
SimVenture supports traditional teaching methods because it helps learners to explore and link subject matter together – rather than simply understanding issues such as marketing and finance in isolation.
By making learning engaging and sustainable, SimVenture stimulates minds and motivates users to learn – without them realising just how much work is being done. And ultimately, SimVenture prepares people for the world of work, whether as an employee or actually creating a new business.
Whilst it takes less than 30 minutes to learn how to use the software, we recommend that teachers/trainers spend at least 4 hours using SimVenture before introducing it to a class.
On-line, on-site and residential training courses are all available to help build skills, confidence and knowledge with the software. Run by the SimVenture team the training courses provide a sound platform for teaching and training purposes. Details about training are available on this website.
SimVenture also has a comprehensive suite of 'Help' tools including animated tutorials and Tutor Notes within the software. As such, users are able to find their own way around SimVenture with very little input from the teacher/trainer.
Although good IT skills benefits users, teachers/trainers do not need to be computer literate in order to use SimVenture. The software has been designed to be intuitive and easy to use so that anyone with a basic grasp of business can benefit from the business simulation.
There are many ways to teach and train with SimVenture. The Learning Zone on the website is packed with free support information in both text and film format and this is recommended as the best place to start.
On-line and on-site training is also available if you are seeking expert tuition and guidance. In practical terms, the software allows you to set challenges (such as starting and running a business for X months or using a pre-set scenario) and then review individual or group performance later.
Alternatively, SimVenture can be used to examine specific business topics that you may be teaching so that people can better understand theoretical principles. Since the simulation allows users to ‘Run the Month’ and thus see the consequences of any decisions play out, you can also use SimVenture for dynamic case studies – with that all important third dimension.
Finally, the data collected by the simulation (every time a month is run) provides ideal preparatory material for any presentation or reflective work.
In addition to the on-line, on-site and residential training courses, the Learning Zone on the SimVenture website provides a wide range of free materials to support teaching with the software.
Furthermore, each licence now includes several pre-set scenarios with background information. All of this material has been designed to improve the quality of the learning and teaching experience.
Finally, you are welcome to email any inquiries about teaching with the software to the SimVenture Team. Contact us at: teaching@simventure.co.uk
SimVenture is an extremely flexible resource. It can be used outside formal teaching time as well as integrated into a course on a regular or intensive basis. Since there are ‘Save’ and ‘Load’ functions, simulations can be played out each week (one month at a time) or dedicated lessons can be used to allow students to progress at their own speed.
SimVenture work can be assessed in many different ways. Since users can save games and print out reports (that reflect all the decisions that have been made), teachers/trainers have access to instant evidence of how any virtual business has been created and run. This information is a powerful platform for any essay or presentation.
Users can also use the game’s Notepad function as a reflective tool to illustrate thinking about how and why decisions were made. Likewise, the Business Plan function allows users to create a comprehensive plan.
Finally, since SimVenture generates a Performance Report after each month is run, teachers/trainers can assess and grade users in terms of how well they are running their business (profitability, company valuation, balance sheet etc.).
SimVenture has been designed so individuals can use it on a standalone basis. However, SimVenture can be used by small groups (2 - 4 people) and/or taught to a class using a large projected image. SimVenture is also an excellent tool to use as part of a competition and/or during Enterprise week.
SimVenture is a popular platform for competitions. Either playing in teams or as individuals, users start with the same scenario and are given a set period of time (e.g. 2 hrs) to achieve a certain objective. The Learning Zone within this website provides more details and advice about using SimVenture for business competitions.
SimVenture provides a number of tools for evaluation purposes. Each month the simulation generates a printable page summarising progress to date. The ‘Notepad’ function means that students can record all their thoughts, research findings and business notes within the simulation.
The software has been designed and supported by business experts and as such mirrors reality as closely as possible. SimVenture forces users to make decisions and then see the consequences of their actions and as such involves them in a deeper learning process. By understanding how business works, students develop a much stronger grasp of how all the taught elements fit together.
