Enhancing Professional Competencies Through Rehearsals
Simulation-Based Learning at UW–Madison
The SimLab offers pre-professional, novice, and practicing professionals the opportunity to rehearse high-stakes conversations in a supportive, do-no-harm, virtual environment.
Such simulations improve professional practice and can provide personalized feedback. The SimLab partners with researchers and instructors to leverage research, teaching and learning scenarios that support the improvement of professional competencies and research on professional competencies.
Why rehearse?
Although traditional apprenticeships have relied on place-based internships and on-site work experiences, these approaches often perpetuate existing patterns of professional inequity due to geographic constraints and the idiosyncratic nature of apprenticeships. Rehearsals place trainees from any location in safe well-designed learning environments, allowing them to rehearse interactions with individuals without risking harm to anyone. These learning environments are available to all trainees, regardless of geography, and can be designed to address specific professional practices that are difficult to learn, thereby offering equitable learning opportunities for all.
Simulation-based learning can generate robust data for studying how novices acquire professional and equity-oriented competencies. By applying these technologies to fields such as nursing, teaching, social work, occupational therapy, leadership, and other related areas, we can develop skilled and effective professionals committed to creating inclusive and effective environments for all.
What is a simulation?
Simulation (rehearsal or role-play) provides a learner with a scenario to engage in.
The scenario might involve a teacher asking a child to explain how they understand a math problem or a nurse asking a patient questions to determine how the home environment affects their medical needs. In simulation, a human actor plays the other person, typically a patient or child. The scenario designer gives guidelines to the actor to help them respond appropriately to the nurse or teacher.
The SimLab captures and transcribes recordings of the simulations. The lab also captures information about who was engaging in the scenario, how long it took, and other essential features of the interaction, such as eye contact, facial expressions, and the person speaking. Depending on the SimLab’s partner, these data can be analyzed and/or made available to the partner. Simulations can also be scored, and formative feedback can be provided to the trainee, based on those scores.
Work with us
A SimLab team member will get back to you within one business day to schedule a consultation to find out more about your goals and objectives.