New interactive decision games implemented in dega environment

Abstract

Interactive decision games are specifically designed to simulate options and issues of the uncertainty and complexity involved in decision making. Games are used in a PBL (problem based learning) situations, where students are exposed to simulated real-life problems, and learn during the process of solving them. We have already reported (CBLIS’97 and CBLIS’99) on the project involving design and implementation of a computerised environment called DEGA (DEcision GAmes), which can be used to teach and learn problem solving and decision making. The proposed computer environment has been designed as a distributed software system in which users can create, access and play decision games using various available tools and functions. The tools enable, on one hand, to design a simulated model of the decision problem, present it to students, set its initial conditions and suggest format and content of the reports on game results. On the other hand, each participating student is able to view a description of the problem at hand, use available decision-aid software packages to generate and evaluate possible solutions, input final solution, view reports on decisions taken and their results. In this paper we focus on presenting our experiences in using DEGA environment as a tool for developing two selected interactive decision games in the field of transportation and business.