Title: The role of simulation software in enhancing students' academic performance: a restaurant management case

Authors: Milos Bujisic; Anil Bilgihan; H.G. Parsa

Addresses: Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA ' Department of Marketing, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL, USA ' Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management, University of Denver, 337 Joy Burns Center, Denver, CO, USA

Abstract: With the advance of learning technologies, computerised simulations are finding a more prominent place in the learning environment. Previous research has shown the usefulness of internet-based hospitality simulations and the positive effect they have on the course performance. This study demonstrates that the use of computerised simulations has a positive impact on student's performance. Results indicated that students who used 'Pro-Sim' restaurant management simulation software had a 3% higher average test scores in a restaurant management course compared to students who took a traditional course model without a computerised simulation module. Another finding was that students' perception scores of overall teaching effectiveness for the instructor has improved when simulation was implemented.

Keywords: higher education; restaurant management; simulation; student performance; academic performance; hospitality education; student perceptions; teaching effectiveness; online learning; e-learning; electronic learning; technology enhanced learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTEL.2016.075954

International Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 2016 Vol.8 No.1, pp.77 - 83

Received: 24 Sep 2015
Accepted: 28 Oct 2015
Published online: 18 Apr 2016 *

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