Creating a learning board game for a supply chain mangement certification

Jan 14, 2017

Hi all: I am teaching a supply chain logistics certification course and I want to create an online learning game where people answering questions correctly, they can move products around the world from point A to point b.  I was thinking about adding a timer aspect to this and based on how quickly they answer they move faster or earn points or something.  This is a step up in skills for me so I'm looking for any insights, suggestions how to go about creating this, templates, etc would be greatly appreciated.  I'm struggling to get my arms around how to get started

Thanx

Chuck

4 Replies
Bob S

Hi Chuck,

Sounds like a cool project.  One thought about timers for answers....  Consider carefully the purpose of the timer.

If it's to simulate that rapid decision making is critically important like in an emergency, then yes. But if it's to teach new information, then usually not... Remember your learners are varied and some may want to go back and read or reflect.  Adding a timer adds an element of stress that may, for some folks at least, inhibit their learning as they focus on beating the clock rather than absorbing knowledge.

A better option, might be rewarding more efficient decision making by providing good consequences for the best choice, and progressively worse consequences for poor choices.  For example, shipping to Country D out of sequence to meet their revised lead time, is better than shipping via the standard distribution allotment schedule. Make your consequences fit the situation.   Does making that decision in 9 seconds vs 12 seconds really make a difference in the real world?

Hope this helps and good luck.

Bob S

Follow up:  Another thought, Chuck is that you might want to use time in a different way altogether.... as the success metric for the game itself!

Maybe something like this:

  • You base the game on them having to make some fixed number of decisions - can be cards they draw, squares they land on, etc.  But everyone get's the same number of situations.  
  • Each scenario has a best answer, ok answers, and bad answer(s).  Each answer will add or subtract X of days to final overall delivery schedule.
  • Finally, either create a scale of success that shows the total number of days it took for you to fulfill the supply chain (eg less than 10 days = Expert, 11-15 days = Good, etc).  OR... no scale and keep the score in raw number of days and create a leader board competition..... lowest # of days win bragging rights.

You have a real advantage in your topic in that there is a universal currency that every situation can relate back to....  time.   Maybe take advantage of that as the key game mechanic.

Good luck.

 

This discussion is closed. You can start a new discussion or contact Articulate Support.