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About Simulations

Face-to-Face

Face-to-face simulations place a trainee into an authentic professional scenario with an interactor trained to provide structured rehearsal opportunities. Sometimes the interactor is a classmate in a course, other times an instructor or coach trained on the scenario. We record interactions in simulation rooms in the Wisconsin Center for Education Research’s Educational Sciences building and elsewhere on UW–Madison’s campus.

Illustration of an adult and a student who each sit in a chair and are chatting with each other. A recording indicator is in the lower right corner.
Illustration of someone viewing a computer screen with avatars on it.

Mixed-Reality

Mixed-reality simulations use human-in-the-loop technology, enabling trainees to interact in real time with avatars voiced and animated by a human interactor who puppeteers the digital avatars. Combining a human interactor and AI offers a unique and authentic simulation experience for pre-professional practice. Mixed-reality simulations are dynamic and personalized for practicing and pre-professional individuals. The SimLab uses avatars and environments from the Mursion™ learning platform to provide practice environments.

Our team of interactors is trained in the following scenarios:

  • Upper elementary students, up to five avatars
  • Middle school students, up to five avatars
  • Adults, single or team of two adult avatars

We can blend these scenarios with the specific student profiles that our interactors are trained in, such as:

  • A student with a learning disability
  • Students who are multilingual learners

Use Cases

Conversation-Based Scenarios

Researchers, instructors, and leaders across fields use simulations to:
  • improve their students’ professional competencies through practice and/or feedback
  • research professional learning and competency development
  • develop their collaboration and mentoring skills

Ways to Implement Mixed-Reality Simulations

Icons of three users and a presenter at a chalkbaord

In-Person Fishbowl

Simulations can be in-person activities, either in large or small groups. A “fishbowl” refers to a group setting in which one person carries out a task and other people watch. Usually these are followed up by reflection for all the people in the “fishbowl.” The instructor can support the participant(s) in real time as they practice the specific conversation-based competency.

Icon of a user in a laptop screen

Virtual Fishbowl

Simulations can be remote activities in small groups. Participants join via Zoom to practice the specific conversation-based competency. The instructor can provide real-time feedback as they might in an in-person setting.

Icons of a talk bubble

Virtual 1:1 Simulations

Simulations can provide practice opportunities for individuals in a remote independent setting. Participants can join via Zoom to practice specific conversation-based competencies. The instructor can join the session to provide real-time feedback. They can also provide feedback after the simulation concludes, using the recording of the participant’s simulation.