About Simulations
Background
Historically, professionals’ preparation relied on apprenticeship, field placement and internship models to apply knowledge learned in coursework to authentic professional settings.
This approach was used not only for typical, non-problematic situations but also for those involving difficult conversations with consequences. Such experiences are idiosyncratic, resource-intensive, and risky, as inexperienced novices must implement sophisticated practices for the first time while interacting with real people in real-world settings.
Simulation
Virtual, game-based, mixed reality, and face-to-face simulation technologies that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and advances in psychology provide novice learners with opportunities to safely practice complex interpersonal interactions in a variety of challenging situations.
Simulation-based learning has been shown to be effective across a range of domains, but little work has focused on professionals’ preparation in education, nor on enacting skilled, equity-oriented practices. The SimLab at UW–Madison works toward those focuses with a vision to strategically expand into adjacent domains by adding technological capabilities, flexibly adapting to funding opportunities and stakeholder needs.
Methods
Conversation-Based Scenarios
The SimLab provides platforms and resources to integrate simulation-based learning into professional training for high-stakes, complex, interactive practices that are typically learned on the job.
SimLab personnel work with instructors, researchers, and subject-matter experts to
- identify, develop, and deploy authentic conversation-based situations (“scenarios”) that allow professional learners to gain and rehearse practices, including working with different populations in different settings, and
- provide research- and evidence-based feedback and feedback tools to help professional learners and instructors and to guide instructional improvement.
Not generally included in the scope of the SimLab are training of kinetic (i.e., non-interactive) professional skills, and training of typical, non-problematic situations that are better addressed without the use of simulation.
Tools
SimLab personnel choose the right mix of technology and technique to address the specifics of each training or assessment.
Face-To-Face
Face-to-face simulations involving live, physical enactments or role-playing scenarios to mimic real-world challenging situations
Mixed-Reality
Mixed-reality simulations that blend real and virtual worlds, enabling real-time interactions with digital avatars
Virtual
Fully virtual, game-based simulations that also enable real-time interaction with digital avatars
SimLab also offers interactive formats such as graphic novels and choose-your-own-path videos, which make it easier to share content widely, especially when simple visuals are sufficient to support learning or testing.
The team may employ recording and sensing devices to capture gaze, expression, gesture, and physiological signals, as appropriate for the given training or assessment needs.