The LoFi Games initiative, driven by Holistic Learning Design (HLD), represents a strategic shift toward simulations that are co-designed with industry partners to reflect the technical pressures and "messy" data environments of the modern workforce. By building these experiences directly within the Canvas LMS using accessible tools like Microsoft Excel, we remove technical barriers while maintaining high pedagogical rigor. Within this framework, learners become active drivers of a narrative, navigating consequential decision points and pivoting based on real-time feedback; a direct realisation of the RMIT AAA (Applied, Authentic, Active) signature pedagogy that bridges the gap between academic theory and professional practice.
This modular architecture allows the underlying simulation mechanics to be contextually scaled across diverse disciplines, from Finance to Fashion, without losing the focus on skill acquisition. Rather than completing abstract tasks, students must leverage a suite of professional tools to solve multifaceted problems that arise dynamically during gameplay. This ensures that both technical and "soft" skills are directly transferable and validated by industry standards. By embedding these authentic pressures into the learning environment, we have created a scalable ecosystem that prioritises measurable skill-building and enhances the validity of student outcomes.
Highlights:
- Chain Reaction: Supply Chain Simulation designed with Aerospace Logistics Company.
- EcoVest: Sustainable Finance & Investment Simulation designed with Investment Firm.
- Fashion Meets Finance: Integrated Merchandise Planning Simulation designed with Major Department Store.
- Orchestrate: Strategic MarTech Investment & Decision-Making Simulation designed with Real Estate Company.
In the age of generative AI, LoFi Games provides a critical solution for Secured Assessment. By centering on evaluation of observable decision-making and live justifications, these simulations offer a higher degree of validity than traditional written essays. In this environment, AI is leveraged as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for thought; while it can assist in data processing, it cannot replicate the nuanced professional judgment required to navigate an evolving narrative. This creates an AI-resilient framework where assessment shifts from a final "product" to the student's real-time ability to justify the "why" behind their "what," providing a verifiable fingerprint of their individual learning journey and professional readiness.
Case Study 1: The “LoFi” Revolution
