A Game Approach to Teach Environmentally Benign Manufacturing in the Supply Chain

Authors

Donna M. Qualters, Suffolk UniversityFollow
Jacqueline A. Isaacs, Northeastern UniversityFollow
Thomas P. Cullinane, Northeastern UniversityFollow
Jay Laird, Northeastern UniversityFollow
Ann McDonald, Northeastern UniversityFollow

Abstract

Multidisciplinary models of education are needed to prepare students for their role in a global work environment. Combined with this need is the reality of the new Millennial Generation entering the educational system with a different approach to learning. This paper introduces an interactive, educational engineering game designed to appeal to the Millennial Generation’s learning preferences. Shortfall is a prototype board game with a team approach and a trial and error methodology to introduce students to environmentally benign manufacturing in the supply chain using the automobile industry as a model. After playing the game, quantitative analysis showed that on average, students gained new knowledge and a changed perception of their confidence in their answers. Qualitative analysis of data demonstrated that students felt the game also helped them with the teamwork/communication aspects of supply chain. Future plans involve converting the game to a computer format to streamline its effectiveness for multi-institutional participation.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Qualters, Donna M.; Isaacs, Jacqueline A.; Cullinane, Thomas P.; Laird, Jay; and McDonald, Ann (2008) "A Game Approach to Teach Environmentally Benign Manufacturing in the Supply Chain," International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning: Vol. 2: No. 2, Article 14.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.20429/ijsotl.2008.020214