USING THE INTERNET AND SHAREWARE TO FACILITATE COMPUTER SIMULATION IN DISTANCE LEARNING CLASSES Developments in Business Simulation & Experiential Learning, Volume 27, 2000 USING THE INTERNET AND SHAREWARE TO FACILITATE COMPUTER SIMULATION IN DISTANCE LEARNING CLASSES John D. Overby, The University of Tennessee at Martin Richard B. Griffin, The University of Tennessee at Martin Edd R. Joyner, The University of Tennessee at Martin Tom W. Schmidt, The University of Tennessee at Martin Lisha Tuck, The University of Tennessee at Martin Keith Mansfield, Bancorp South, Inc. ABSTRACT A live demonstration by the authors will show how to use the Internet and freeware/shareware software (NetMeeting) to facilitate the use of computer simulations (DOS or Windows based) as an integral part of a distance learning class without having to make exotic changes to the simulation programs. Participants in the demonstration will be located in at least three states. INTRODUCTION A myriad of reasons have led many colleges and universities to become participants in the development of distance learning courses. For most educators the development of distance learning classes has required the use of new technologies and the demise of others. Burns (1998) aptly described some of the difficulties that are experienced when educators become participants in a distance education class. The question often asked by the neophyte distance educator is: How can I retain the use of a computer simulation that I consider a critical part of my course? TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES THAT ENHANCE THE USE OF COMPUTER SIMULATIONS IN DISTANCE LEARNING CLASSES As described by Burns (1998) the technological problems that are sometimes encountered by educators can be enough to cause students to drop a course, cause major pedagogical changes in the way the course is conducted, and to make the educator regret that s/he has even agreed to attempt a distance learning course. Griffin et al. (1999) demonstrated that technological software had advanced sufficiently to assist educators in improving the distance learning class experience for everyone involved. Microsoft's NetMeeting is a program that provides educators a means of conducting computer simulations, chat sessions, whiteboards, and file transfers via the Internet without changes having to be made in the simulation programs. A DEMONSTRATION The authors will demonstrate using freeware/ shareware available via the Internet that the professor has the capability to use computer simulations in a distance learning environment. No special requirements are placed on these 32 Developments in Business Simulation & Experiential Learning, Volume 27, 2000 simulations, in fact any simulation you have used before in a traditional classroom can be used with this approach. Three popular computer simulations (The Multinational Management Game: A Simuworld of Global Strategy by Keys and Wells; The Business Management Laboratory by Jensen; and The Management/Accounting Simulation by Goosen), not designed for Networks or the Internet, have been tested in their DOS versions and one of the three computer simulations has been tested in its Windows version to validate that the technological capabilities currently exist. Tools Used in the Demonstration • Personal Computer with Windows 95/98 • Internet Access • Microsoft NetMeeting • Computer Simulation Software • IP Address of the Instructor Required Knowledge/Experience (Students and Faculty) Participants should have the following computer knowledge/experience to be able to successfully participate in the conduct of a computer simulation via the Internet. • Familiarity with a computer • Ability to download and install software from a packaged program • Ability to download and install software from the Internet SUMMARY The use of freeware/software such as Microsoft’s NetMeeting will permit an instructor to use traditional classroom simulations in a distance learning setting without making modifications to the simulation. REFERENCES Burns, Alvin C. (1998) A neophyte distance educator’s experience. Developments in Business Simulation and Experiential Learning, 25,138-144. Griffin, Richard B.; Joyner, Edd R.; Schmidt, Tom; Mansfield, Keith; Tuck, Lisha. (1999) A day in the life of an interactive, real time, internet delivered course: a demonstration. Developments in Business Simulation and Experiential Learning, 26,346-347. 33 Table of Contents Volume 27, 2000 Internet International: A Simulation Exercise for Understanding Technological Innovation and customer Service In a Rapidly Growing Internet Server Company Simulations and Learning: Dialog and Directions Endnote Activity: A Tool for Integration of Course Content and Communication Skill Practice Incorporating Video as a Teaching Strategy in Interpersonal Communication Vision Quest: An Alternative Approach to Industry Analysis for MBA Courses in Strategic Strategic Management: An Evaluation of the Use of Three Learning Methods Trainer, Mentor, Educator: What Role for the College Business Instructor in the Next Century? Using the Internet and Shareware to Facilitate Computer Simulation in Distance Learning Classes Visual Modeling of Business Simulations Teaching about Information with Management Games A Self-Evaluation Based on the Discussion and Decision in Experts' Business Gaming The Restaurant Game Using Journals to Enhance Computer Simulation Based Learning Exercises to Facilitate Better Student Writing in the Undergraduate Strategy Class Identifying, Resolving, and Managing Common Ethical Dilemmas in the Workplace: An Experiential Approach Integrating the Digital Revolution into the Classroom The Wheel of Learning: An Integrative Business Curriculum Experiment The Changing Nature of Simulation Research: A Brief ABSEL History Perspectives on Simulation & Gaming's Review Process Experiential Learning Across Disciplines: Mixing International Business and Accounting Simulating Governmental Effects on Economic Development Internationalizing the Introduction to Business Course Using an International Text and Domestic Simulation with a Twist Using Stock Value as the Performance Measure in a Business Simulation Game Introducing Cross-Elasticities in Demand Algorithms Validating a Model of Currency Valuation An Exercise for Exploring the Relationship between Jungian Psychological Types and Organizational Politics Exercise: Preparing Financial Reports Using the Group Categorizing Technique Effect of Trust and Cultural Beliefs on Negotiation Processes: Data from an Experiential Role Play Experiential Learning Gets Stamp of Approval From the Boyer Commission Talent Search 2000 - An Experiential Activity to Help Strengthen Skills in Employee Recruitment and Selection Clemson University's Collaborative Learning Environment Initial Data on a Test Bank Assessing Total Enterprise Simulation Learning Changing the Assessment Paradigm: Using Student Portfolios To Assess Learning from Simulations How We Learn and Why We Don't: The Cognitive Profile Model: A Workshop in Teaching to Reach Your Students Knowing Thyself: A Portfolio Approach to Student Self-Assessment Collaborative Learning and Web-Based Instruction in a Cognitive Apprenticeship Model Teamwork Attributes in a Classroom Simulation Virtual Teams: Meeting the Next Challenge for Experiential Education New Age Learning: Nuance or Nonsense Developing Charisma: An Experiential Exercise in Leadership Problems and Solutions in Going Web-based with an Agribusiness Simulation Creating a Comprehensive Web-Enhanced Classroom Your Class is in Session, Now What? The Challenges of Teaching On-line An Application of Process Control Charts for Attributes as a Form of Classroom Assessment for Experiential Learning Work Goals and Life Aspirations: Do You Have What it Takes to be an Entrepreneur An Exercise to Develop Initiative: Possible Dream? The Ball Point Pen Assembly Company Management Game Review System Development Total Enterprise Simulations and Optimizing the Decision Set: Assessing Student Learning Across Decision Periods Facilitating Learning in the New Millennium with the Complete Online Decision Entry, System (CODES) The Marketing Management Experience The Right Venue for Your Simulation One More Time: Overall Dominance in Total Enterprise Simulation Performance A Profile of ABSEL Conference Attendees Learning Readiness: An Underappreciated Yet Vital Dimension in Experiential Learning Active Learning in a Professional Undergraduate Curriculum The Problem Is - They Think Differently! Cultures Integration in Mergers and Acquisitions: Putting Managers Together in a Business Simulation The Global Business Game: A Strategic Management and International Business Simulation