I have worked with digital simulations for a number of years and have found that they are an excellent tool for teaching technical education. While lacking the bells and whistles of a virtual reality environment, they do offer the opportunity for student experimentation and operating outside procedural constraints otherwise present in the nuclear power world.
Additionally, they offer a safe environment in which the student may practice without the need for an instructor to be present to oversee such things as electrical safety and equipment protection. They allow each student to work alone and forces them to solve problems they may encounter without relying on a peer to guide them.
Lastly, because the interface is so simple, the student can develop good habits without concentrating on how the program works. The graphical interface relies on simple pointing and clicking allowing the student to develop good habits. Similar to writing down information, these simulations gives each student another path for information transfer and thus reinforces learning.
