THE ROLE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE INSTRUCTOR IN ACHIEVING LEARNING OBJECTIVES USING SIMULATION TECHNIQUES IN STUDENT CENTERED EDUCATION

Abstract

In the educational process, the simulator is a means by which a number of specialty learning objectives can be achieved. In the naval domain, the maritime simulators are used in the learning process because the virtual environment can simulate unusual naval situations and also for economic reasons. Since 2009, ,,Mircea cel B?tr?n" Naval Academy (MBNA) has aligned to the requirements of the Standard of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers (STCW) that states the fact that naval universities must develop competences of initial operational level for undergraduate students, managerial level for master students and professional improvement for seagoing personnel. The MBNA uses a top notch "Integrated simulator for driving of watercraft" that meets the Standard Certification No. 2.14 for Maritime Simulator Systems, adopted in January 2011 and is a Class A (NAV) full mission simulator In order to acquire the necessary skills for the integration to the labor market, in accordance with the European Union Directives, the student centered education principle and ,,learn to practice - practice to learn" principle are respected. The maritime simulators integrates modern equipments that manage to provide virtual training in terms of gaining onboard standard routine for seafarers and to improve the safety in exploiting of the merchant vessels and navy ships. The simulator instructors have an important role in developing the competences of students. The simulator instructors must meet the professional competences acording to the Standard for Certification No. 3.323 and 3.324 (October 2009). Quality training of students depend on the capabilities of the maritime simulator and especially to the competences of the simulator instructors. The simulator instructor is the person that creates training scenarios on the simulator, establishes the learning objectives to be acquired, the minimal requirements and the assessment criteria. This paper aims to present the rules and methods of the simulator instructors from MBNA in the process of developing abilities and functional-acting competences, stated as standards in STCW.