What are the advantages of simulation-based training for the homeland security enterprise?

So what?

There has been increasing interest in games among government, academic, and private sector stakeholders. Observers believe well-designed games better approximate the real-world experiences of practitioners and decision-makers than do other classroom experiences. However, training advantages remain understudied. This project will contribute to filling this knowledge gap.

Project Summary 

This project seeks to improve workforce development for the homeland security enterprise through the development, deployment, and evaluation of homeland security-focused strategic simulations.

Purpose/Objectives 

The purpose of the study includes developing modern strategic training games, which will create a training and educational tool that is on the cutting edge of education and workforce development.

Method 

The Duke-Valens team will adapt a pre-existing Valens game called Acceleration in an effort to prepare people to enter careers in homeland security and hone related knowledge and skills. The project will include a full-semester university course implemented across two years. It will also include implementing the strategic simulations training program in shorter-form settings for working professional learners. Effectiveness and best practices will be measured through quantitative data (pre/post survey measures) and qualitative data (focus group data collection).

• Develop semester course
• Post-course assessment
• Year-end progress report
• Develop second semester course, making adjustments from first course
• Final report