Simulation Environments as Vocational and Training Tools

Introduction

Computer Simulation is widely used as an educational, as well as training tool in diverse fields; inter alia pilot training, chemistry, physics, mathematics, ecology, cosmology, medicine, engineering, marketing, business, computer communications networks, financial analysis etc., whereby computer simulation is used to train and teach students in many fields, not only to save: time, effort, lives, and money, but also to give them confidence in the matter at hand, in view that using computer simulation delivers the idea with sight and sound.

Banks in 2000 summarized the incentives why we need simulation in the following reasons: Making correct choices, Compressing and expanding time, Understanding “Why?”, Exploring possibilities, Diagnosing problems, Developing understanding, Visualizing the plan, Building consensus, Preparing for change. The reader can refer to (Banks, 2000) for more detailed study.

Moreover, computer simulation is considered a knowledge channel that transfers knowledge from an expert to newbie, thereby, training a pilot or a surgeon while using computer simulation, is in fact empowering the trainee with the knowledge of many expert pilots and expert surgeons. Accordingly, the paper shall discuss the simulation environments and packages used to train and teach in the following fields, as it is stipulated in (Figure 1):

• 1.

  Pilot Training.

• 2.

  Chemistry.

• 3.

  Physics.

• 4.

  Mathematics.

• 5.

  Environment and ecological systems.

• 6.

  Cosmology and astrophysics.

• 7.

  Medicine & Surgery training.

• 8.

  Cosmetic surgery.

• 9.

  Engineering – Civil engineering, architecture, interior design.

• 10.

  Computer and communication networks.

• 11.

  Stock market analysis, Financial Models, and Marketing.

• 12.

  Military Training and virtual reality.

  Figure 1.

  Simulation Applications in Educations and Training

  

In Pilot Training the paper discusses flightsafety, Frasca, HAVELSAN, and Thales. In Chemistry the simulators: Virtlab, REACTOR, ChemViz, ChemLab, NAMD and VMD are discussed. In regards to physics training Physics Simulator, PhET, Fission, RadSrc and CRY, ODE, Simbad, and TeamBots simulation packages will be discussed. In teaching mathematics by using simulation Matlab and STELLA are discussed in addition to statistical software like Fathom, DataDesk and Excel.

Environment and Ecological Systems, the paper will discuss SEASAM, The Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM), and Ecosim Pro simulation packages. In addition, the five simulation packages: Celestia, Computer Simulations of Cosmic Evolution, CLEA, Universe in a box: formation of large-scale structure, and WMAP Cosmology will be discussed for Cosmology and Astrophysics. In the arena of Surgery training and Medicine: Human Patient Simulator (HPS), Emergency Care Simulator (ECS), and Laerdal SimMan will be discussed. Simulators used in Cosmetic Surgery that will be discussed in this paper include Plastic Designer, LiftMagic, Virtual Cosmetic Surgery and MyBodyPart.

In the Engineering simulation packages the paper discusses EONreality, ANSYS, and Full-Scale Virtual Walkthrough. The simulation packages used in computer and communication networks are: Anylogic and OptSim, and the paper will discuss both. In Stock Market Analysis, Financial Models and Marketing the simulation packages discussed are: Crews, Decision Script, Decision Pro, Crystalball and Anlaytica. For military training and virtual reality the following simulators will be discussed: World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, Disaster Response Trainer and Safety Solution.