Impact Of Engine Room Simulator As A Tool For Training And Assessing Bsmare Students’ Performance In Engine Watchkeeping

Abstract

Ship engine room simulator is a tool used by maritime academies that offer the Marine Engineering Program. According to the Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), to provide physical realism in training and assessment, simulators are employed. Assessment programs have the intent of providing results that educators will utilize to improve their teaching strategies and improve learner performance (Klinger et al. 2008). This study aimed to (1) Determine the level of competencies of the Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering cadets in Engine Watchkeeping with Resource Management before and after their exposure to the training on the use of the simulator as a tool for learning, and (2) To find out if there is a significant difference in the level of competencies of the cadets in Engine Watchkeeping before and after the training on the use of the simulator as a tool for learning. Mean and Wilcoxon tests were utilized to analyze the data. It was found that a significant difference in the level of competencies of the cadets in Engine Watchkeeping before and after the training, which implies that the Engine Room Simulator is a tool for learning and assessing the competencies of students in Engine Watchkeeping is effective. The study recommends that instructors should maximize the use of the available simulators in teaching the course. Students shall have a hands-on experience as supplementary to the theories that they learn.