Teaching Introduction to Business at Santa Clara UniversityCredit: Santa Clara University, Leavey School of Business Santa Clara University use the MikesBikes Introduction to Business Simulation to teach their freshmen course, Contemporary Business Issues. The BUSN 70 is a class designed to help students find their vocations in the world of business. Part of the BUSN 70 curriculum is a business simulation called MikesBikes. Professor Tim Harris describes the project as “a comprehensive business simulation that is interesting, complex and challenging. It is a great way to experience many of the aspects of running a business and making critical strategic and tactical business decisions (such as price, product, marketing, capacity, etc), without the potential real life downside. It is a favorite experience for many of the students.” BUSN 70 is an introductory business course with the emphasis on the objectives of the contemporary business firm and its relationship to the modern business environment. “BUSN 70 really opened my eyes to the […]
Student Testimonial on the Real World Application of the MikesBikes Business SimulationI am currently doing my co-op placement, but first I just say at how my mind is absolutely blown at the level of applicability of everything I have learnt in our [Marketing Strategy] class to the real world. The [MikesBikes] simulation combined with the journals has really enhanced the way I see the bigger picture and back it up with the analytical side. I was so surprised to find that the company I am doing [work] for had no structures in place whatsoever when it comes to measuring company performance; especially when the company looked so successful on the outside. On the second day of my [work] placement I managed to sell Kaplan’s Balanced Score Card to the CFO and the CEO of the company; through the use of [heuristics] but also, because the simulation has put me in the seat of the CEO, I was able to talk in their language by using jargon that was music to their ears. And only after hours of going through data and speaking with front line managers, I found, that this company […]
Teaching Strategic Management Online at University of Colorado BoulderWith many courses transitioning online we thought it timely to interview Scott Livengood from University of Colorado Boulder. Scott has a great deal of experience using our MikesBikes Advanced Business Simulation in his capstone Strategic Management course which he teaches in both face-to-face and online formats. How do you use MikesBikes in your course? I use MikesBikes Advanced primarily for my capstone Strategic Management undergraduate course. I have three “rounds” of play: The first is the Practice Round, where students compete directly against a computer rival in two possible customer segments (Adventurer and Leisure). This round is not graded but gives the students some exposure to the simulation so they can learn about its mechanics and also so they can experiment with and fine tune their strategies. Next comes the Solo Round, where the environment is exactly the same as the Practice Round (i.e. only one computer rival and two segments), except the rollovers occur on my […]
Teaching Strategic Management Online at USMThe MikesBikes simulation has been extremely well received by students. Many enjoy the opportunity to work in groups and learn from others, while nearly all love the ability to apply what they are learning in a safe environment. Lisa Parrott from the University of Saint Mary uses the MikesBikes Advanced Business Simulation in her online Strategic Management and Ethics course. Lisa has kindly shared how MikesBikes is used at USM and provided tips to others implementing a business simulation in an online course. Introducing the Simulation & Single-Player Phase Week 1 Students are introduced to the Single-Player (practice phase) in the first week. They are also required to read the player’s manual and watch the tutorial videos. To ensure they have completed these tasks they take a 20-question introductory quiz where they must achieve at least 80% to pass. They are given three opportunities to obtain a passing grade, otherwise they must work with the instructor to determine if […]
Teaching Intro to Business Online at DMACCDes Moines Area Community College (DMACC) use our MikesBikes Introduction Simulation in their Introduction to Business course. The course is run in both face-to-face and online formats. How do you use the MikesBikes Simulation in BUS102? MikesBikes is used as a supplement to the material that we cover in class. The students are given approximately 45 minutes in class during the week (in face-to-face classes) to meet with their team and review their possible decisions. In an online class, the students compete individually. How do you introduce MikesBikes to students? MikesBikes is introduced to students in multiple announcements during the first week of the online class. These announcements direct students to folders in the online class containing Smartsims’ introductory videos and tutorials. In addition, after watching the videos, students must complete a quiz showing that they have a basic understanding of the simulation. Do students use MikesBikes in teams or individually? If […]
Smartsims Business Simulations in Select Journal Articles & ConferencesThe following are a selection academic papers featuring our MikesBikes Introduction to Business Simulation and MikesBikes Advanced Strategic Management Simulation. Using Assessment To Measure The Effectiveness of a Financial Simulation Abstract: This study examines how useful a financial simulation is at reinforcing financial learning goals as measured by an assessment. Programs within many College of Businesses are under increasing pressure to demonstrate that students are learning within their courses, assessment is one method of documenting learning. Most accreditation certifications require colleges to provide an assurance of learning using assessment techniques at the course and program levels. Business simulations play a potentially significant role in reinforcing course learning goals which are measured by assessments and document the assurance of learning process. Results indicate an improved comprehension of financial learning objectives for students after completing a […]
Real-World Experience In The ClassroomProficient with experiential learning and business simulations, Dr. Darl Kolb discusses his course design and the value his students gain. […]
Teaching Foundations of Business with MikesBikes IntroductionHear how Drexel University use MikesBikes to get their students ready for the workplace. […]
Teaching with the MikesBikes Business SimulationAndrew recounts his first experience using a business simulation in his business course. […]
MikesBikes Introduction Simulation in a Business Project CourseKing’s Own Institute (also known as Australian Institute of Business Management) instructor, Rex Walsh (pictured above) was over the moon when he found out that one of the teams in his class achieved the top spot in the MikesBikes Introduction Hall of Fame. A big congratulations to Dashcycle and Rex for this amazing achievement! We interviewed Rex to learn more about his course and how he prepares students to succeed in the simulation. Tell us about your experience with MikesBikes Introduction. Wonderful. Players universally rate this unit as the most relevant, rewarding and personal development based course they complete and this is incredibly rewarding for me. Players have even made their own customized bike and accessories! It’s mind-blowing! How does MikesBikes allow you to engage with your students? MikesBikes allows me to engage with my students in the most rewarding way. The players develop competence, skills, confidence and learn to relate to me simply as a […]
Incorporating MikesBikes Into a Two-Year Diploma ProgramThe article below is written by one of our MikesBikes Introduction instructors, Harold Lowe from Nova Scotia Community College in Canada. […]
MikesBikes in an Introduction to Business CourseThe article below is written by Dan Bielinski, business instructor at Madison Area Technical College. As a relatively new Business Management Instructor (in my third year) after a nearly 30 year career in industry and consulting, I have found MikesBikes Introduction an extremely helpful tool for teaching real-world business concepts. In the spirit of sharing among educators to benefit students, I am privileged to discuss some of the approaches that have worked for me. We utilize the MikesBikes Single-Player in our Intro to Business Course. Students work in teams and compete against the computer. There are two practices I have found very effective: 1. I cover course material on Strategy, Marketing (the 4 P’s), Operations and Finance, primarily through case studies and other active learning techniques. I then use MikesBikes and help students “connect the dots” and apply these concepts in the simulation. Both direct student feedback, and the kinds of questions they start to ask, tell me […]
An Instructor’s Experience: From MikesBikes Critic to True FanWritten by Russell E. Holmes, a business and law instructor, at Des Moines Area Community College. It All Began… A few years back my business department decided to incorporate a business simulation game into our Introduction to Business course. The college felt our introductory business course would become more acceptable as a transfer course to a larger number of universities if we did this. I was adamantly opposed to requiring a simulation in the course. I had taught the course for many years, was comfortable with the variety of assignments and activities I had developed over the years and had no interest in having to deal with what I perceived to be an activity that would take a lot of time and, in my opinion, be of minimal value. What really upset me was when I was told we would be required to take students through chapters that dealt with accounting, financial management, securities and marketing at the beginning of the course so they would be able to understand the […]
How to Design a Business Course around MikesBikes AdvancedDesigning a course requires professionals, topic experts, and a deep understanding of students’ needs. The long and short of it – course design takes time. Therefore, we are creating a series of articles on how select Smartsims clients employ business simulations to engage their students. This article follows Professor Darl Kolb of the University of Auckland. Having utilized MikesBikes Advanced in both his undergraduate and post-graduate courses, Professor Kolb’s students often exclaim this is the highlight of their degree. Professor Kolb truly embraces the concept of experiential learning by utilizing course activities which reflect real-world situations managers of a company may experience. Through role-play students adopt roles within a ‘management team’. Instructors will take up the role of ‘shareholders’ or ‘board of directors’ who the students are responsible to. Deeply ingrained within the course content, the simulation is entirely relevant to the student’s and […]
Teaching with the Music2Go Marketing Simulation by Professor Mark YoungProfessor Mark Young shares the benefits of using the Music2Go Marketing Simulation by Smartsims. He also explains how he has chosen to implement the simulation in his marketing course. […]
What Do Students Think Of MikesBikes?Smartsims follow three students through their journey of a business course with MikesBikes. […]
The Benefits of Business Simulations to Students & InstructorsWhat are the Benefits to Students of using a Business Simulation?
Why are Business Simulators important to Instructors & Professors Teaching a Business Course? […]
How Business Simulations Give Students the Leading Edge in Job Interviews & the WorkplaceIn this video, Dr Darl Kolb explains how business simulations give students confidence, which affords them a leading edge in job interviews and in the workplace. […]
Experiential Learning with Dr Darl KolbDr Darl Kolb has used MikesBikes in both his undergraduate and post-graduate management courses. […]
Why Instructors Love Smartsims Business SimulationsHear why professors and instructors around the world love using Smartsims Business Simulations and MikesBikes in their Business Courses. […]
MikesBikes at Quinnipiac UniversityQuinnipiac University uses MikesBikes to give students the competitive edge. […]
JITF Case Study of MikesBikes Simulation within an Introduction to Business CourseThis research paper outlines a pedagogical method for incorporating capital structure and dividend policy decisions into an Introduction to Business course through the use of a business simulation. […]
What are Smartsims Business Simulations?To truly grasp the impact strategy and management decision-making have on business outcomes, students need real world experience. Smartsims business simulations encourage student engagement and accelerate learning by giving students their own business experience. […]
Experiential Learning at Drexel UniversityCredit: Drexel University, LeBow School of Business Drexel University use the MikesBikes Introduction to Business Simulation to teach their freshmen course, Foundations of Business. Associate Clinical Professor Jodi Cataline describes how the simulations allow her to move beyond purely academic forms of business education. She extracts terminology and concepts from her teaching material and challenges her students to use it in the MikesBikes simulation. Students refer to the competitive nature of MikesBikes which helps build a greater understanding of the fundamentals of business. […]
Experiential Learning & Music2Go MarketingExperiential Learning is a highly effective educational tool, and a key feature that sets our Simulations apart from other teaching methods. Experiential Learning focuses on the learning process for the individual, through observation and interaction with the subject they are learning about rather than the traditional process of learning from a textbook. Katie Matthew recently spoke at the Annual Conference of the Society for Marketing Advances in Memphis, Tennessee about her integration of ourMusic2Go Marketing Simulation in her Introductory Marketing Course, and how this has added value by bringing Experiential Learning to her classroom. Katie is a Major in the U.S. Army and Instructor at The United States Military Academy at West Point. Some of the key benefits of Music2Go that she mentioned included the following: Encouraged more student engagement/involvement; Produced better learning outcomes; Students indicated they preferred this style of learning; Better prepared students to […]
Music2Go Marketing Simulation at USMA – West PointKatie Matthew is a Major in the United States Army and Course Instructor at The United States Military Academy at West Point. Katie uses our Music2Go Marketing Simulation in her Introductory Marketing Course. At a 2011 Society for Marketing Advances Annual Conference, Katie spoke about her integration of Music2Go Marketing into her course, and how this has added value by bringing Experiential Learning to her classroom. Some of the key benefits of Music2Go that she mentioned included the following: Encouraged more student engagement/involvement; Produced better learning outcomes; Students indicated they preferred this style of learning; Better prepared students to make real-world decisions. Katie fully embraced the Experiential Learning process by having Music2Go as the “Major Event” for her course. She notes that the “time tested and proven” nature of the Music2Go software, which included teaching resources and 24 hour support played a big part in adopting the Simulation. […]