Meaningful and Realistic Metaphors are Used

The Mentor offers expert advice in the running simulations. A user has to select the Mentor to receive the feedback.

The Mentor

In the same way that jobs simulate a realistic industrial work scenario, a meaningful learning context is provided through the use of a control room and a "Mentor" metaphor. The control room serves as the 'home' for the system and the basis of all activity. Real-world working conditions are also emulated with the use of an on-screen Mentor that represents a process control expert. The Mentor is like the supervisor on the job and is the primary method the system uses to provide directions and feedback.

Navigation

To provide secure navigational support, all modules within the system are deliberately separate and access between modules is only back through the control room. The benefit of using the control room is that trainees are given every opportunity to develop an appropriate mental model of their own work situation. The trainee is also in control while moving around the system. At no point is the system more than one step away from the control room which avoids users becoming lost within the system.

True to Life Representations

Realistic components based on the industry standards also add fidelity. For example, a Process Status Indicator is provided and has been specially designed to provide the trainees with support to help maintain a stable system in addition to the numeric and graphical output. Additional simulations available for purchase from our Web site (for registered users) users add a further realistic industrial scenarios. For example, in a business simulation trainees have to follow instructions from the sales department about specific product mixes and instructions from the financial controllers about achieving specific cost-saving measures.