Teaching with Simulations
April 18, 2025April 18-19, 2025
SPJIMR concluded its two-day HBP-SPJIMR simulation (SIMs) seminar, bringing together faculty members to explore innovative pedagogical approaches through Harvard Business Publishing simulations. The workshop at SPJIMR’s Mumbai campus offered educators an immersive experience in simulation-based learning methodologies.
Setting up a class for using SIMs
The event opened with comprehensive sessions focused on how to set up classes for simulations. Participants gained practical insights into both the technical and pedagogical foundations required for effective implementation. Prof. Rajiv Agarwal guided educators through the essential steps needed to create engaging learning environments that maximise student participation and learning outcomes.
Experience of using an HBP SIM
Faculty members participated in Harvard Business Publishing simulations such as Honey Heritage, Managing Markets and Segments, and Food Truck. This hands-on experience allowed them to step into the student’s perspective, gaining valuable insights into the learning curve, decision-making dynamics, and opportunities that arise during simulation-based learning.
Designing classroom teaching plans around SIMs
After the simulation exercises, participants reflected on their experience and engaged in sessions to design effective classroom teaching plans. The workshop provided detailed guidance on developing structured lesson plans that incorporate pre-simulation preparation, active engagement during the simulation, and post-simulation reflection and analysis. Led by Prof. Ashita Aggarwal, the sessions also covered aligning simulations with specific learning outcomes and designing rubrics to evaluate both formative and summative skills.
Day 1: April 18, 2025
| 9:00 am – 9:45 am | Opening, expectation setting, and introduction |
| 9:45 am – 10:30 am | Honey Heritage introduction |
| 10:30 am – 10:45 am | Refreshment break |
| 10:45 am – 11:45 am | Honey Heritage play |
| 11:45 am – 12:15 pm | Simulation technical aspect – setting up, preparing for the course |
| 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm | Introduction to managing markets and segments |
| 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Photograph and lunch break |
| 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | Working with an HBP simulation (as students), managing markets and segments |
| 3:00 pm – 3:15 pm | Tea break |
| 3:15 pm – 4:00 pm | Running your company—decision-making in groups |
| 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Debrief, concepts, questions, challenges, and takeaways (as a student) |
| 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm | Briefing for day 2, simulation teaching (as a professor)—debriefing, assessment, and evaluations |
Day 2: April 19, 2025
| 9:00 am – 10:00 am | Food truck – playing in groups |
| 10:00 am – 11:00 am | Group work to prepare for presentations |
| 11:00 am – 11:15 am | Tea break |
| 11:15 am – 12:30 pm | Presentations |
| 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm | Simulation teaching (as a professor)—setting up, preparing |
| 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch break |
| 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | HBP session – Tech support, sims available, pricing terms |
| 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Open house—questions on using simulations as pedagogy, challenges, evaluations, preparations, etc., and revisiting expectations |
| 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm | Tea and certificate distribution |
| 4:30 pm | Workshop concludes |
Prof. Ashita Aggarwal
Professor, Marketing
Chairperson, Post Graduate Diploma in Management and Post Graduate Diploma in Management Business Management, SPJIMR
Marketing professor, branding enthusiast, consultant, and researcher of consumer-brand relationships, Prof. Ashita has over 22 years of experience in both corporate and academic settings. She has worked in the area of business and marketing strategy at Reliance Communications and branding and communications in IMS Learning Resources (Education Sector). She has consulted education institutions (schools and higher education institutions) in developing academic curricula and marketing communication strategies.
Prof. Rajiv Agarwal
Chairperson and Professor, Strategy, SPJIMR
Prof. Agarwal is the author of the ‘Family Business Simulation: Honey Heritage,’ published by Harvard Business Publishing in 2019. He leads the Strategy and Innovation department and teaches strategy, entrepreneurship, and family business at SPJIMR. He has worked for over 25 years as an entrepreneur in his own business and has been actively involved in areas like technology entrepreneurship, manufacturing operations, marketing of high-tech products, product development for new technology products, and information systems.
The workshop concluded with an open house session where educators shared their experiences and discussed implementation strategies for their respective institutions. SPJIMR’s commitment to supporting educators in adopting cutting-edge teaching technologies continues to drive professional development opportunities that transform classroom experiences.