Mid-South Instructional Technology Conference
Teaching, Learning, & Technology
The Challenge Continues
March 30-April 1, 2003
Virtual University- A Higher Education Administration Simulation and Learning Tool
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By: James Penrod, Barbara Perry |
Abstract
Remember all of the times you considered, if I were a member of the President’s Cabinet or even President of this university, I could turn this place around? Now, you have your chance. Virtual University challenges the student, as a player, to be the president of a college or university. This first simulation of higher education administration provides graduate students an instructional tool which offers an active learning environment, develops intrinsic motivation to learn, and serves as a valuable, practical, concrete learning experience. The presentation will provide a demonstration of the simulation and discuss potential uses in the classroom.
Description
Remember all of the times you considered, if I were a member of the President’s Cabinet or even President of this university, I could turn this place around? Now, you have your chance. Virtual University challenges the student as a simulation player to be the president of a college or university. As president, the player must monitor institutional policies, procedures and issues including tuition, resource allocation, faculty and student concerns, facilities, athletics, and fund raising within an established time period. Players are judged on either continuous improvement or attainment of a specific goal such as improving faculty morale. The player, as president, receives an annual letter of review from the Board of Trustees and thus, discovers the difficulties, challenges, and rewards of academic leadership. This session is a demonstration of Virtual University, and a discussion of how its use enriches the learning experience of graduate students of higher education administration at the University of Memphis. The discussion will focus on simulation as an instructional tool which offers an active learning environment, develops intrinsic motivation to learn, and serves as a valuable, practical, concrete learning experience.
Proceeding