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. 2020 Jun 27;12(6):e8864.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.8864.

Implementing Virtual Simulated Person Methodology to Support the Shift to Online Learning: Technical Report

Eva Peisachovich  1 , Celina Da Silva  1 , Nathaniel J Penhearow  2 , Elizabeth V Sombilon  3 , Marianne Koh  4
Affiliations

Implementing Virtual Simulated Person Methodology to Support the Shift to Online Learning: Technical Report

Eva Peisachovich et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed how education is delivered worldwide. The resultant rise of e-learning, whereby teaching is undertaken remotely and on digital platforms, has extensively impacted universities and other higher education organizations around the world. One approach to support this change in education delivery is the use of virtual simulation approaches. Our team at SimXSpace has piloted a virtual workshop using Zoom, an online video-conferencing platform, and virtual simulated persons (SPs) to support communication and interpersonal skills among learners. The main objective of the pilot virtual workshop was to develop and implement the SP methodology remotely via the Zoom platform (Zoom Video Communications, San Jose, California) and to evaluate its effectiveness as an immersive environment for simulation. The virtual workshop involved four instructors who intend to implement virtual SPs within their courses, two workshop facilitators, and two SPs. The workshop was conducted synchronously using Zoom features. The workshop followed a predefined structure and was completed as planned. Outcomes suggest that remote simulation delivery using virtual SPs and delivered online via Zoom is feasible and provides an effective environment in which to conduct SP methodology to teach communication and interpersonal skills. The findings suggest that remote simulation and virtual SPs can support experiential education and provide an effective and engaging learning environment. The virtual workshop was successful and laid a foundation for future online training programs for the use of SP methodology. Moreover, it formed an effective outline for subsequent iterations of this virtual training workshop and prompted discussion of plans for future workshops with various programs across a pan-university context.

Keywords: remote learning; simulated persons; virtual workshop.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Video-conferencing platform during open collaboration
Figure 2
Figure 2. Speaker view used during simulation
Figure 3
Figure 3. Workshop design used to develop simulation scenario
Figure 4
Figure 4. Workshop format to deliver online simulation
Figure 5
Figure 5. Simulated person methodology model for feedback
Figure 6
Figure 6. Template simulated person methodology
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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