Simulation Games as an Alternative Formative Assessment Tool for Experiential Learning in VET Marketing Education: A Desk-Research Review

Abstract

Simulation games continue to be widely used in marketing education. Based upon a review of simulation tools from the past decade, this study gathers insights on how simulations can be used as an effective assessment tool to enhance learning in marketing and digital marketing vocational subjects. In particular, this research looks more closely at the opportunities afforded by simulation games for experiential learning in relation to formative assessments as well as the challenges presented by the application and validity of the games. This study made use of the desk-based approach as a line of research study while making use of secondary data that is available in competent scholarly literature related to simulation games as an alternative formative assessment tool for experiential learning in VET marketing education. The methodological flow followed in this research used the five phases implementation of industry 4.0 technologies as suggested by Garrido-Lova (2021). This research is original as, through desk-research, the study gave an overview of how simulation games can contribute towards experiential learning. The study indicated that a plethora of evidence points towards the number of pedagogical effects students benefit from when assessments take a formative approach and are carried out through a simulation game. This research should be of keen interest to current and future users of marketing simulation games who might have questions about how to use them effectively in a vocational setting and for assessment purposes.