Leveraging Serious Games for Experiential Learning in Engineering and Management Education

Summary

Engineering management education plays a crucial role in developing future engineering leaders capable of navigating complex societal challenges. As the business landscape evolves, there is a growing need for innovative pedagogical approaches that can effectively prepare students for real-world scenarios. Serious games have emerged as powerful tools in education, offering immersive experiences that bridge the gap between theory and practice. These interactive learning environments allow students to experiment with complex engineering and management systems in a safe and controlled setting, fostering critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. Recent advancements in technology have significantly enhanced the capabilities of serious games, making them increasingly relevant for engineering and management education.
This research project aims to investigate the potential of serious games in abstracting and simulating complex engineering and management systems for educational purposes. The study will explore effective methods for designing and implementing serious games that provide realistic and meaningful learning experiences in engineering and management education. Key objectives include examining the impact of serious games on student engagement and learning outcomes, identifying challenges in their implementation, and exploring the integration of data analytics for personalised learning. The project will focus on creating authentic simulations that closely mirror real-world engineering and management scenarios to ensure that students develop practical skills directly applicable to their future careers. Expected outcomes include evidence-based recommendations for integrating serious games into engineering and management education curricula and contributing to the advancement of pedagogical practices in the field.

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