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Simulations

Imparta is a world leader in advanced computer-based simulations. They provide a rich and realistic blended learning experience, where participants can practise new skills in a safe but realistic, nonlinear environment. Simulations can be integrated into a workshop or used standalone.

Complex skills are taught with a large cast of virtual characters, and over a simulated timeframe that would be impractical in normal role-plays.

Existing Imparta simulations cover sales, sales mastery, marketing, strategy and commercial acumen, and we are expert at creating custom simulations. This generally makes commercial sense for groups of over 200 users, or where several different simulations can be based on a common framework (for example in product training).

The term “simulation” covers a wide range of products, from a simple branching decision tree to the kind of nonlinear, experiential learning pioneered by Imparta. Some of the elements that set us apart include:

Dialogue

Multiple conversation choices and topics, as well as other actions (e.g. selecting a document to present) allow a high degree of non-linearity even within a single conversation but Imparta simulations allow you to talk to anyone at any time. This dramatically increases learning effectiveness by allowing users to make errors of omission as well as commission. There are multiple outcomes from each simulation module, and users can re-try individual modules if they wish, to hone their skills further.

Coaching

A built-in Mentor performs a key role in helping users to reflect on their experiences – a vital part of the adult learning process. The sophisticated coaching also adapts itself to the user's skill level and style, keeping them in their learning ‘sweet spot’ and ensuring that by the end they are equipped to apply the target skills in a way that suits each individual and situation, rather than developing a “cookie cutter” approach.

Combining interpersonal and analytical skills. Imparta embeds documents and decision-making tools in a PDA-like device, where the computer-generated characters can also interact with them. This allows analytical skills to be practised alongside the more interpersonal ones – and most business tasks require both. Users are coached by the Mentor on how well they have used the tool, and this links directly to the skills taught in the workshop.

Feedback

Because the program knows exactly what the user has done (as well as when and how long it took), it’s possible to give extremely detailed feedback on a full range of skills. The simulation also keeps track of the learning points that each user has come across during the program, and creates a personalized list of pitfalls to avoid in real life. The feedback provides an important benchmark and, critically, creates an urgency to learn among participants.

Imparta's simulations can use video characters or animated characters, as seen in video games and feature films. These allow us to build simulations more quickly and at a lower cost, and to run fully-featured simulations over very modest bandwidths, and without the annoying buffering issues so common in multimedia web use.

For more information, watch the Creating Client Value CoPilot video preview.

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