Perspectives on simulation in education and training: simulation education is no substitute for intelligent thinking

This paper presents a critique of the current teaching practices of Simulation. We challenge the current view of simulation, to the extent that most textbooks' contents will be found to be secondary to the missing necessary primary material. We advocate that (simulation) education has four general objectives, which are to teach students how to <i>learn</i>, how to think <i>creatively</i>, how to <i>problem solve</i>, and how to be <i>professionals.</i> These four objectives of education may not be possible to teach. In the words of Oscar Wilde, "Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught." So an education in simulation requires that students be put into learning situations that enable them to learn the requisite knowledge concerning the four objectives. Who can provide such an education? Universities?