Simulation and eLearning: Design, Benefits, Gender

This book discusses research findings on the use of simulations in eLearning. It is shown that the benefits of using simulations in eLearning affect not only motivation, but also cognitive, social and emotional levels. Special emphasis is put on the aspect of gender and the remarkable differences between boys¿ and girls¿ preferences in simulations and games. In addition, recommendations for the career simulation of the SITCOM project are presented. SITCOM-"Simulating IT-Careers for wOMen" is an EU financed project that makes use of the considerable potential of simulations and games to motivate girls and young women to enter educational pathways related to information and communication technologies, science and engineering.

The author attained a MSc degree in eTeaching/eLearning at the Danube University Krems in Austria, specializing in ¿computer simulations and learning¿. For many years she worked in the field of adult education and presently teaches at a junior high school in Vienna. In addition, she studied English and German Philology in Austria and in the UK.