Ready, Set, Coach! Marketplace Simulations Hosts International Faculty at Training Seminar on the Pedagogy of Simulation Learning

Marketplace Simulation Train-the-Trainer Attendees

Knoxville, Tenn. – Marketplace Simulations held their bi-annual Train-the-Trainer Workshop on September 24-26, 2018 at the Dancing Bear Lodge and Appalachian Bistro. Higher education faculty and trainers from around the world converged on Townsend, TN to take part in the two-and-a-half-day seminar.

The interactive program provided educators with guidance toward achieving their pedagogical goals, not as teachers, but as business coaches. Designed to provide faculty with an in-depth understanding of how business simulations can transform the student learning experience, the workshop dove into the ins and outs of using Marketplace as part of an entire learning ecosystem an exceptional learning tool.

Attendees matched wits against each other in teams of three as they experienced firsthand Marketplace’s newest simulation – Conscious Capitalism Bikes. The faculty played the business simulation from the students’ perspective, charged with the task of operating a profit-driven business, all while dealing with ethical, environmental, and sustainability issues in a simulated world. At the midpoint of the competition, team members presented the results of their test marketing, the strategy going forward, and tactical plans to outside investors at a Venture Capital Fair. Combined with the executive briefings, rubrics, and much pedagogical discussion, each instructor gained valuable experience that they can carry forward to their own courses.

Other activities and discussions included:

  • Best pedagogical practices to optimize the learning experience
  • Defining the role of a business coach
  • Executive briefing experience
  • Learning how to incorporate a simulation into an existing course
  • Setting up the simulation
  • Questions and answer sessions with the Marketplace staff

“Faculty have the opportunity to immerse themselves into the pedagogy of simulation learning at our focused workshop,” explained Ernest Cadotte, Ph.D., author of Marketplace Simulations. “First offered in 2004, the Train-the-Trainer Workshop provides marketing and business professors with solutions on how to seamlessly adopt a Marketplace Simulation into their classroom, providing their students with an experiential learning experience.”

The 2018 fall Train-the-Trainer Workshop hosted participants from as far away as Australia, Ghana, Holland, and Vietnam, providing an international flair to the seminar. Universities represented included schools such as the University of Tampa, University of Delaware, RMIT University, and California State University, Sacramento. The blending of cultures, disciplines, and experience level all adds to the intrinsic learning experience of this onsite event.

“As a soon to be first time instructor with Marketplace, I found the training to be extremely enriching and critical to my preparation,” said Sam Lee, Ph.D., Dean of Undergraduate Programs at Hult International Business School. “The Train-the-Trainer Workshop not only helped me better understand the pedagogy behind the simulation, but it provided me a view from the student’s perspective. I can now reflect on what I learned and proactively address potential challenges the class may encounter as we progress through the game.”

Registration is now open for the spring 2019 Train-the-Trainer Workshop. The seminar will take place near the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park from May 20-22, 2019. Dancing Bear Lodge and Appalachian Bistro will once again play host to the interactive training event. Visit marketplace-simulations.com/TTT to preview the workshop agenda and testimonials from previous workshop attendees.