Summary The Problem The Solution The ABT Learning Cycle General Features
The traditional approach to learning is concerned only with the acquisition of explicit knowledge. In business, however, explicit knowledge is not enough and experience through 'action learning' is crucial. The ABT simulation modules provide experiential situations for group training. Our products uniquely combine a public display of activity through a projected PC screen with private two-way communication through individual keypads. The lessons are paced with typically short simulation sessions interspersed with outcome analysis. The result is an exceptionally engaging, efficient and memorable training method.
A persistent problem in education of managerial issues is how to integrate different perspectives within a single learning experience. Nowhere is this problem more acute than in the courses which link engineering technology, human factors, logistics and commercial questions. Each of these specialisations can be learnt on its own in an academic environment but in combination the set of perspectives can be confusing because of their different underlying models and assumptions. Yet in practice, in the working business or institution, all these perspectives have to live side by side: A central part of management is the definition and evaluation of the interfaces between them.
For issues covered by the ABT exercises the essential learning points could not be communicated through readings or written exercises alone. The strength of the exercises lies in the debate and negotiation between essentially different perspectives which can only be created by 'live' interactions.
The ABT training modules progress in a cycle of focused teaching stages to facilitate the learning process. Each cycle is configured to expose key learning points and builds on previous iterations. The basic teaching stages consist of:
The ABT Learning Cycle introduces students to the Design-Run-Evaluate management processes and encourages them to make the mental shift required for each stage.
Features of the ABT approach:
General features of the ABT Participative Simulations:
