Summary:
While simulation learning itself is not a new instructional tool, the use of online simulations to replicate administrative decision-making is an exciting new application that maximizes student learning. This paper will discuss the construction, application, and instructional outcomes of an educational administration simulation used with graduate students at Ashland University. A description of the simulation, along with the results from a study of digital learning experiences that compared practicing administrators and pre-service administrators' reactions to the simulation will be presented. The paper will focus on three distinct elements of Ashland's Educational Administration Simulation Project: (1) the conceptual and technical aspects of simulation construction (2) the application of simulation-based learning in administrative preparation programs and (3) the findings of qualitative research conducted on participants' administrative decision making and their reactions to the simulation learning experience. FULL MANUSCRIPT AVAILABLE IN PDF (attached below) OR ONLINE AT: http://cnx.org/content/m37191/latest/