The Pupils' Academy of Serious Gaming: Strengthening Study Skills with ERPsim

Strengthening study skills should be a key objective of every education system. Universities in particular can bring a positive influence to bear on the study skills of pupils at an early stage through appropriate programs and measures. The institute of information systems at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) is playing its part in contributing the Pupils' Academy of Serious Gaming as an innovative and successful teaching concept. This paper presents the Pupils' Academy based on the online SAP ERP Simulation Game ERPsim. In addition to strengthening study skills, the second objective is the introduction of major enterprise software via application-oriented learning. The positive impact on study skills is evidenced with the help of a self-assessment by means of an IT-based survey carried out by the participating students. These examinations include the activities related to the three study skills methods of science, self-competences, and a clear idea of studies at university. Based on these scientific findings this paper presents the Pupils' Academy of Serious Gaming as an example of how the enterprise software SAP ERP is successfully applied to strengthen study skills.