Training computer-supported work by simulation

✍ Scribed by Inger Eriksson; Pekka Reijonen

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1990
• Weight: 841 KB
• Volume: 6
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0167-9287
• DOI: 10.1016/s0167-9287(05)80060-3

✦ Synopsis

Simulation has traditionally been used to describe complicated systems, to plan expensive or otherwise critical systems, and for education. A rather new domain for simulation is information systems design and use. We claim that simulation with its various techniques can profitably be used to improve end-users' competence to use a computer-supported information system in work situations and to participate in systems development. The claim is based on the following facts. The main difference between information systems and other systems, for example, a manufacturing system, is the level of abstraction. Simulation is one of the best ways to concretize abstract concepts and relations between them and therefore it offers good opportunities to facilitate learning processes. Economy is another good reason for using simulation in training work situations. Technological development will facilitate the use of simulation, animation and graphical representation; so we expect more transparent, self-explaining, and easy-to-understand systems for the future.