Computer Simulation: Bridging the theory/practice divide

What can we simulate?What should we simulate?

Graham Lowe

BIRMINGHAM CITY UniversityFaculty of Education, Law & Social Sciences

Simulation

From the Latin simulatus, past participle of simulare (“to make like, imitate, copy, represent, feign”)

An activity designed to be similar enough to reality to elicit the same responses that would be elicited in reality.

A model of a set of problems or events that can be used to teach someone something.

Learning from Health Education

Tutors teaching nursing students at BCU have developed a piece of simulation software they have developed called

Virtual Case Creator

‘Case’ refers to an individual patient

We adapted this for use with ITE students – See poster presentation

Where Next..?

SHAREVILLE

Smaller, more problem based rather than content based scenarios

3D CGI backgrounds

‘Real’ characters filmed against ‘Green Screen’

Greater sense of reality

More emotional engagement

Ability to make mistakes and experience consequences

See Shareville at:

http://shareville.bcu.ac.uk/

http://shareville.bcu.ac.uk/index.php?q=resource/parents-evening-report

Learning from Health Education

Main Driver: The ethical imperative

‘Trial & Error’ is not considered acceptable as a way to learn nursing skills

Doesn’t seem to be an issue in ITE..........

(a point that came up in the research interviews)

Round table discussion Explore the ethical and philosophical background to the design and implementation of computer based simulations

In particular consider the following key questions:

• Do we have an ethical imperative when it comes to practice based work?

• What value can simulation have in ITE?

• What should and should not be simulated? • What is the place of reflection within simulated activity?

• Could/should practice based elements of ITE move out of school and into the virtual world?

For more information regarding ITE simulations on Shareville

(including any ideas for what you think we could/should simulate...)

contact

graham.lowe@bcu.ac.uk

See Shareville at: http://shareville.bcu.ac.uk/