SimBLs® expand

Press Release in the UK
May 19, 2003

Tata Interactive Systems (TIS), which has one of the world's largest teams for the design and development of custom-built learning solutions, has further developed its revolutionary learning technology - called 'Simulation Based Learning Objects' (SimBLs®) - by building a further 100 programmes, covering topics including nursing and law.

Produced in association with the University of Phoenix in Arizona in the United States of America, the SimBLs® concept was originally developed for use by Master of Business Administration (MBA) students and covered topics such as finance, operations, marketing, human resources and economics.

Sambit Mohapatra, the head of TIS in the UK, Europe and Middle East, commented: "SimBLs® provide learners with an engaging and highly motivating way to interact with e-learning materials, greatly enhancing the learning experience and increasing the retention of information. They simulate specific topics by substituting fidelity-to-concept for fidelity-to-reality, helping learners to focus on the key learning points in the material.

"They can be used as standalone learning tools or can be blended with other forms of learning for use as ice breakers, pre-assessments or even assessment tools."

Sanjaya Sharma, chief executive of TIS, added: "Using SimBLs® at the University of Phoenix has demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach in facilitating learning. The University now incorporates SimBLs® in its business management program and will be using the new SimBLs® simulations on other courses being taught throughout the university."

Being more tightly focused than many online business simulations, SimBLs® can offer a cost-effective way of learning - being available on a 'pay-per-user' basis.