Using computer-mediated simulation to improve institutional decision-making

Abstract

One of the core courses often found in a doctoral program in higher education is administration and organization. Traditional courses generally include weekly chalk-and-talk lectures in a classroom setting with the instructors enriching the course by sharing their administrative experience in higher education. A new approach was sought to provide students the opportunity to build upon their foundation in the areas of teamwork, conflict resolution, problem solving, decision-making, and critical thinking through group lectures, case studies, group projects, and expert lecture series. This article will examine the use of a computer-mediated simulation for the purpose of teaching higher education administration and organization. Virtual University (VU), a computer interactive software program, simulates the management of four different types of institutions of higher education. The simulator provides students with the opportunity to better understand colleges and universities as complex organizations, the interplay that occurs among variables, and the difficulties that institutional presidents and other administrators face. Today, technology has an impact on the decision-making process of higher education as well as the entire educational system. Students in all programs need an environment in which to manage multidimensional circumstances that require alternative solutions.