King’s Own Institute (also known as Australian Institute of Business Management) instructor, Rex Walsh (pictured above) was over the moon when he found out that one of the teams in his class achieved the top spot in the MikesBikes Introduction Hall of Fame. A big congratulations to Dashcycle and Rex for this amazing achievement!
We interviewed Rex to learn more about his course and how he prepares students to succeed in the simulation.
Tell us about your experience with MikesBikes Introduction.
Wonderful. Players universally rate this unit as the most relevant, rewarding and personal development based course they complete and this is incredibly rewarding for me.
Players have even made their own customized bike and accessories! It’s mind-blowing!
How does MikesBikes allow you to engage with your students?
MikesBikes allows me to engage with my students in the most rewarding way. The players develop competence, skills, confidence and learn to relate to me simply as a mentor. They grow up quickly in my course!
How is your course designed?
We operate the course as a practical real life program. The simulation is the vehicle for which students must then adjust to be business ready in a real world sense.
How is your course assessed?
Assessment is based initially on the position achieved in simulation. Based on this grading, students must then present various supporting assessment materials. This includes reflection journals, business reports, business presentations, including a startup for venture capital and at completion a business ready presentation to launch in the real world.
How do you prepare students for the MikesBikes simulation?
In the first few weeks, they go through the Single-Player practice version of the simulation. The students must survive on their own with my role purely as a mentor. They are challenged to experiment and explore various decisions, and strategies.
Tell us about unique activities used to complement the simulation.
Players are asked to develop webpages, social media pages such as Facebook, Instagram, etc. Students also use video editing software to make presentations and advertisements.
What do students take away from the simulation? For example, did the simulation improve their academic performance and/or assisted in securing a job?
Students are able to launch their own businesses after and during completion of the simulation. My approach is very much based on simulating real world application.
Why do you like MikesBikes?
The support offered by Smartsims is terrific and the lasting relationship is very rewarding!!
Comment on your experience with the staff.
The staff are terrific and very responsive, not just to me, but also to the students. I cannot recommend Smartsims staff more highly!