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Features

Published January 2008

Top Five Trends in Simulation Training

  

  Nick Giannis

There is a new generation entering the workforce, one that craves continual interaction, visual information and multisensory stimulation in learning environments. Known as Generation Y, this group grew up with video games and came of age during the communications technology era. As a result, they are accustomed to absorbing new information through interactive multidimensional methods. That’s why the Fortune 500, military and government organizations have turned to visually rich simulations as a way to captivate and train this group of multitaskers.

Behind these realistic training scenarios is powerful technology. Much like an artist needs a paintbrush to create a masterpiece, scenario developers need technology tools to create highly realistic simulations. With the emergence of more sophisticated software, 2008 promises to be an eventful year on the simulation front, particularly as different organizations start using more sophisticated training scenarios. To kick off the new year, here are the top five trends — from advances in artificial intelligence to new types of training scenarios — that are shaping the simulated learning environments of tomorrow.

1. Highly realistic training scenarios aren’t just for soldiers anymore.
Until recently, training simulations were too costly for organizations outside of the defense community to obtain. However, as the technology for developing training scenarios becomes more widely adopted and affordable, simulations are becoming a popular training tool in the domains of emergency management, homeland security and border patrol. For example, developers of training scenarios can now leverage weather data to simulate weather conditions that police and rescue workers will encounter when dealing with an emergency situation. Simulations can even be used to study the potential impact that disbanding a local gang would have on a community, or for determining evacuation procedures for a building that hasn’t even been erected yet.

2. Training games are becoming more realistic than games designed for entertainment.
Serious games do more than entertain. They help employees, soldiers and emergency response workers develop the skills they need to further their professional development. For example, artificial intelligence tools, originally designed for the development of video games, also are used to create immersive training simulations for the military. Using AI software, developers create more dynamic and lifelike training scenarios that enable trainees to interact with virtual people in real-world contexts.

Traditionally, the entertainment industry was years ahead of the serious games market when it came to developing realistic scenarios and special effects. But the need for simulations to involve intelligent characters who move and act like real people — particularly within the military — is prompting developers to use highly sophisticated development tools. This heightened reality will see more developers of serious games turn to more sophisticated AI software, which will help create more complex and realistic scenarios.

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