Sim Center

When I was at UPS, one of the ideas that the interns would bat around was "Sim Center." This was a virtual game that any employee could access at any time. Ideally, it would be used for both self-directed learning and learning mandated by management.

As we envisioned it, there would be modules for every position in a UPS package center. Employees would be able to complete modules for any position (perhaps by "clocking in" under a specific position title). This way, they could develop skills in their own jobs, learn the challenges and requirements of the positions that are upstream or downstream from them, or even get a taste of a position that they were interested in assuming.

The modules for each position would reflect the appropriate learning domains, so the game wouldn't be identical to "The Sims." For example, a package handler might play a Tetris-style game requiring the identification and proper placement of a package based on the UPS package label. A front line manager might be given a problem scenario; be asked to identify the problem using systems and reports, and by talking to people; and develop an effective solution. A center manager might be required to balance strategic planning against daily fires, and so on.

This thought experiment wasn't a serious project, but did offer insight into elegant training solutions for our ongoing projects.

Apparently, we weren't the only people thinking down this line. Bjorn Billhardt at Enspire Learning is creating similar programs as a way to combat the low completion rates of online courses. Check it out.