Simulation can be used for learning.
We must go to Latin to find the etymological origin of the term simulation that concerns us now. And it emanates from the union of two Latin lexical components: the word “similis”, which can be translated as “similar”, and the suffix “-ion”, which is equivalent to “action and effect”.
Simulation is the action of simulating . This verb refers to representing something, imitating or pretending what it is not . For example: “The referee considered that the forward made a simulation and that is why he decided to reprimand him,” “The authorities asked the employees to carry out a simulation of the vote to analyze whether they are qualified,” “The architect presented a computerized simulation of what what the building would be.”
Simulation utility
Simulation can be defined as experimentation with a model that imitates certain aspects of reality. This allows working in conditions similar to real ones, but with controlled variables and in an environment that resembles the real one but is artificially created or conditioned.
The idea is that simulation makes it possible to verify the behavior of a person, an object or a system in certain contexts that, although not identical to real ones, offer the greatest possible similarity. Thus, it is possible to correct errors before the experience actually materializes on the level of reality.
Simulations are common in the aviation field. Pilot training includes practice in simulators that present all the controls of an aircraft to fly virtually in a simulated environment. In this way, if the pilot makes any mistakes during the learning process, he will not suffer any damage since everything is a simulation; However, if the mistake were made in a real flight, the plane could crash. What simulation offers, in this case, is a safe environment for practice.
In some cases, simulation is entertainment.
The concept in the field of industry
Within areas such as industrial engineering there is what is known as process simulation . It is a very important tool within the sector, as it greatly facilitates the completion of projects and tasks. As? Thanks to the fact that it is responsible for proceeding to represent a process through another that is much simpler and easily understandable.
That is to say, through this resource what is achieved is to be able to carry out good designs the first time and obtain products that allow obtaining a greater benefit or a competitive cost with regard to their own manufacturing.
Simulation in finance and at the electoral level
On an economic and financial level, we would have to highlight other types of simulators. Thus, for example, in Spain there is what is known as an income simulator . It is a tool that is made available to citizens so that they can carry out their income tax return very quickly and easily.
On the other hand, there is also an election simulation system. Thanks to it, what is achieved is to make an approximation of the results that are going to occur in an election, whether local, regional, national or European, for example. In Spain this mechanism is called an electoral simulator .