Not Just Discrete Event PLC Simulation Software

Several studies have over the years confirmed that simulations have helped to improve learning. However, it is crucial to add that the effectiveness of a simulation depends greatly on how accurate the simulation is. There are several benefits that schools and organizations can enjoy with the use of simulation software in education. Perhaps the most outstanding one is that it is a cost-effective solution for CTE/TVET Programs that desire to manage their students’ information and data in a more organized manner. But there are other significant benefits, and we shall be going through some of them now.

1: Interactive Simulations

The use of simulation software for education serves as a bridge between real-life experience and classroom learning. Simulation training helps students to use their current knowledge base and extend it via experiential trial and error. One of the most remarkable benefits of a simulation environment is that students can now enjoy a safe space for examining their strengths and weaknesses without the potential damage to expensive equipment that is associated with real-world situations. So, this interactive nature of online simulations allows students to enjoy unlimited time to carry out experiments and practice freely.

2: Enhances Practical Knowledge

Repetition as they always say is the key to task mastery and knowledge retention. So, the use of simulation software in education offers students the chance to continue to practice until they accomplish their goals. Since they can explore the outcomes of their actions, students can ascertain whether they may get a more favorable result by embracing an alternative path to learning. Also, they are free to repeat the challenging aspects of their training to fully understand the importance of each step and how all components work together. Students can enjoy the benefits of practical experience without being exposed to the risks associated with such training in the real world.

3: Environmental Benefits of Simulation Software

As the world battles to cut down on CO2 emissions, the use of simulation software in education will not only be cheaper (in terms of fuel savings) but will help to drastically reduce CO2 emissions. This even translates into some financial incentives or tax credits in some jurisdictions. Simulation training also implies that there wouldn't be the need to halt the use of revenue-generating equipment in a company just to make it available for training. Vocational teachers and college technical instructors will equally have more time to focus on several high-value-added tasks while students study with the simulator. The use of simulation software for technical training is undoubtedly a more efficient way to allocate resources in schools.

4: Enhanced Learning for Students

Generally, students or trainees tend to learn better from the mistakes they make while using a simulator. Simulation training is also an ideal solution for experienced operators intending to cross-train on other equipment. It is possible for the simulation software to flag various areas of concern during the technical training for special attention from vocational teachers and college technical instructors. This is because of the in-built tracking and scoring capabilities of the software.

5: Simulation Software Is Always Available 24/7

Sometimes, in physical classroom settings, college technical instructors may not be able to teach their students due to weather conditions or their health. However, the use of software simulation tools ensures their availability 24/7 throughout the year. This is extremely useful in colder climates where movement may be hindered during winter. This implies that students and trainees can now always make use of simulation tools. With software simulation tools, it would be possible to carry out team-based training with multiple signalers, operators, and machines working together virtually. In a real-life scenario, this type of technical training can be time-consuming, difficult, and expensive to coordinate.

6: Increased Safety Level with Simulation Software

Increased safety is undoubtedly one of the greatest benefits that students, vocational teachers, and college technical instructors enjoy with the use of simulation software in education. On a construction site or other locations where students get hands-on training with various equipment, accidents often occur. However, with simulation training, the chances of accidents happening are quite low. Simulation software has over the years been proven to reduce fatalities, the risk of injuries, and damage to property and equipment. The continuous development of simulation software has made it possible for them to help students develop skills that they can easily transfer to real equipment. Students get a head start (with less risk) in developing reliable, competent, and safe work site habits. Simulations also help to ensure that school training and curriculum development are standardized by tracking, measuring, and benchmarking their performance.

7: Employee & Student Assessments

Apart from using simulation software for training purposes, students can also take assessments too. This helps provide instant feedback regarding their activities and it also helps them to continuously learn and improve their knowledge and skills. According to the results of a study carried out by S. Jay Samuels and Yi-Chen Wu, immediate feedback is extremely effective not only in assisting students to understand the content but also in improving performance. The reason for this is that they can immediately identify their mistakes and learn from them.

In curriculum development, it is easy for the training materials of simulation software to be updated, developed, and modified. Training can take place anywhere, regardless of the place and time. This implies that the inability of students to gain access to physical training equipment will no longer be a problem as long as they have access to simulated equipment.

8: Training Simulation Software Is Very Cost-Effective

As mentioned earlier, the cost-effectiveness of simulation software is believed by many to be the most striking benefit of the use of simulation software in education. By using simulation software, the usual wear and tear on equipment that is often experienced during training will be drastically reduced. Of course, it is common knowledge that novice trainees or students are often hard on the machinery they are training on. But this is not the case with simulation training because the equipment will last longer, and it will help to reduce the frequency of repairs or replacement of machine parts. Although the acquisition of simulation software may be expensive initially, the benefits over time will justify the initial cost of purchasing them.

Considering the fact that simulation training allows students to learn and experiment in a controlled and safe environment, it protects them from causing harm to themselves and also expensive equipment. Another reason why they are cost-effective is that they are reusable and since there is no need for physical equipment, the cost of courses and programs is reduced.