In today’s fast-paced, complex business environment, developing strategic thinking, decision-making and leadership skills is more critical than ever. Business simulations offer interactive, experiential learning tools to offer learners the chance to engage in lifelike decision-making in a controlled environment. This article explores how scaffolding strategies can elevate the learning impact of business simulations, ensuring participants are supported without being spoon-fed.
What is Scaffolding in Learning?
Scaffolding refers to the temporary support provided by educators or systems to help learners bridge the gap between what they can do independently and what they can achieve with assistance. Like how builders require scaffolding to reach new heights during construction, scaffolding in education ensures that learners acquire skills and confidence until they can perform tasks unaided. It’s aligned with Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development.
Why Business Simulations?
Business simulations immerse learners in realistic environments where they must apply theoretical knowledge to solve practical problems like launching new products, analyzing market data, managing teams or navigating crises. These business simulations mimic real-world complexity while offering the safety of a learning environment. However, without adequate scaffolding, participants may become overwhelmed, disengaged, or focus solely on “winning” instead of learning.
Scaffolding in Action: The Simulation Journey of Santa Clara University
Let’s walk through a scaffolded simulation experience of Introduction to Business students from Santa Clara University using the MikesBikes Introduction simulation.
1. Pre-Simulation Preparation (I Do)
Before the simulation begins, instructors touch on every aspect of business and give learners an in-depth introduction. This is often done via lectures, sample case studies and majority of the instructors themselves have experience becoming a CEO or a president of their own companies – this gives students an opportunity to ask questions and learn from their experiences.
2. Single-Player Practice Phase (Scaffolded Solo Expedition)
Learners engage with the simulation individually in the Single-Player practice phase. They only compete against a single-computer opponent and can control the progress and pace of the simulation in their own time. This helps them learn through trial and error by testing different decisions and strategies – giving them the ability to apply theoretical concepts they have learned so far, familiarize themselves with the interface and build confidence without peer pressure.
This is scaffolded with immediate feedback through the reports that are immediately available to the students after each rollover (decision round) that they complete.
2. Guided Participation (We Do)
In the Multi-Player, competitive phase of the simulation, students make decisions collaboratively, guided by prompts, checklists and structured reflection questions.
Debriefing sessions after each rollover allow learners to analyze results, compare strategies and adjust based on feedback.
3. Peer Collaboration (You Do Together)
As learners grow in confidence, instructor support decreases. Peer learning becomes more central, with teams discussing trade-offs and refining their decision-making. The instructor and teaching assistants now act more like a mentor than a guide, intervening only to challenge assumptions or encourage deeper thinking.
4. Independent Mastery (You Do Alone)
By the final rounds of the simulation, learners operate independently. They navigate ambiguity, defend their strategies and present their company’s performance. The scaffolds have been removed, allowing for authentic, autonomous learning.
Best Practices for Facilitators
- Lay the groundwork for critical content.
- Design reflective checkpoints at key stages.
- Provide decision-making frameworks, not answers.
- Smartsims offers optional written assignments to support and guide students in forming and reflecting on their strategy.
- Encourage peer coaching as scaffolds fade.
- Use post-simulation debriefs to reinforce lessons and connect theory to practice.
Scaffolding transforms business simulations from competitive games into powerful learning experiences. When designed thoughtfully, scaffolding ensures that learners not only play the simulation but deeply learn from it. They gain insights into strategic thinking, collaboration and leadership. As educators and facilitators, your role is to strike the right balance between support and challenge, creating experiences that are as rich as they are rigorous.
Scaffolding today’s learners into tomorrow’s business leaders. Experience the power of simulation-based learning with Smartsims. Contact us to get started.