Simulations

What is this Tool?

Simulations are tools that allow learners to be immersed into a virtual reality to deepen understanding of a topic through hands on learning. They are used to explore, understand or practice skills to explore social or mechanical interactions in a safe environment. Most simulations contain the following components: Reasons, reality, roles, rules, resources, records, run time, results. The scenario itself typically gives participants all required information and the time for the simulation and will display in the moment feedback based on performance. This allows learners the ability to gain experience in the task they are required to perform in a risk free and identify opportunity areas to continue to practice on. Simulations have existed in many forms, but common practices seen in corporate training environments are role plays, games and virtual click throughs. Regardless of medium, simulations are aimed at the core objective of allowing learners space to gain professional judgement through a virtual reality in which unsuccessful attempts are used as learning moments to gauge areas of focus for future progression. 

Relevance to Adult Learning

Simulations offer a safe space to practice skills when the desired outcome is to develop professional judgment in high risk or potentially dangerous, such as nurses administering medicine or police offers learning firearm instruction in a hostage situation. The element of a safe fail zone reduces the risk related stress learners typically feel and can allow for learning to land more effectively. In addition to the components related to risk management, adult learners are also motivated by being able to have a kinesthetic experience as well as receive in the moment feedback that can help with self assessment on their level of mastery of skills. 

How to Use in Corporate Training

Click Throughs: If the technology exists, being able to build virtual models or click through scenarios for learners to gain hands on experience can be successful. Interfaces can be created through programs such as Articulate Storyline to mimic company program screens and allow learners the ability for skillbuilding to click through processes and ideally receive real time feedback. 

Role Plays: Role plays are excellent tools as they are completely customizable with relatively low overhead. A role play can be created with relative ease by taking a scenario you would like learners to have exposure to and deconstructing it into parts played by two or more learners immersing themselves in the scenario. Most effective when paired with discussion/debrief time for learners.

Immersive Virtual reality: If VR technology is avaiable, full on immersive experiences (such as an interactive police shooter scenario walkthrough) can help tactile learners practice in a safe environment. Other physical immersive items could be dummies used in the healthcare industry paired with full role plays. While immersive virtual reality can be successfull, often times technical limitations exists. Best practice is to take a full inventory of what items/systems are available to you to build your training program-effective solutions similar to immersive VR can be acheived through role plays, games, or e-learnings.

Resources & Examples

Simulation Based Learning

Simulator Training - Your Last Step Before Flying Jets!

Simulation Training for Nursing Orientation