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. 2025 Mar 29;17(3):e81412.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.81412. eCollection 2025 Mar.

Annenberg Hotkeys: A Free, Simple, Interactive Learning Platform

Elizabeth Sanseau  1 , Kyle Cassidy  2 , Vanessa Denny  3   4 , Ebor Jacob James  5 , Vinay Nadkarni  3   4
Affiliations

Annenberg Hotkeys: A Free, Simple, Interactive Learning Platform

Elizabeth Sanseau et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

This technical report outlines the development and implementation of Annenberg Hotkeys, a free, accessible platform designed to help educators create interactive, synchronous learning modules for both in-person and remote teaching. Annenberg Hotkeys was developed during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to address the urgent need for innovative distance learning methods. Annenberg Hotkeys enables users to create interactive, 'choose your own adventure'-style modules that offer multiple paths and outcomes based on learner decisions. This report outlines the complete process of developing a video-enhanced simulated scenario designed for healthcare professional education, providing practical insights for educators. The authors outline their process of creating the simulation scenario flowchart, making professional-quality videos, linking the videos to computer keyboard hotkeys, and delivering the distance medical education simulation learning activity. While pre-made modules are available online, Annenberg Hotkeys also allows educators to develop customized content tailored to their unique learning objectives. The educational goal of this tool is to improve engagement between learners and facilitators both in person and at distance.

Keywords: free and openly accessible simulation-based case creation; in person and distance learning; low-cost simulation module creation; video augmented simulation education; video creation technical report.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve human participants or tissue. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Suggested videos to create for a pediatric septic shock scenario
Figure 2
Figure 2. Flowchart of anticipated interventions healthcare providers would do to recognize and treat a pediatric patient with sepsis
Figure 3
Figure 3. Setup of filming videos
Note the camera on the tripod and the phone camera on gooseneck (above patient) as well as notecards being used to differentiate scenes and keep track of what has been filmed.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Screenshot of editing a video in Adobe Premiere
Figure 5
Figure 5. Remote simulation using ResusMonitor
Figure 6
Figure 6. Remote simulation with Hotkeys, of a real Ghanaian patient
Note: consent was obtained by the caregiver.
Figure 7
Figure 7. A student wearing a Meta Quest 3 Virtual Reality headset (Meta, California) watching a Virtual Reality (VR) front-end of an opioid overdose, mirrored on a classroom screen
The individuals in this photo are actors in our VR front-end and have given permission for their image to be used.
Figure 8
Figure 8. Hotkeys module structure
Figure 9
Figure 9. Screenshot of Annenberg Hotkeys zip file downloaded onto the computer
Figure 10
Figure 10. A screenshot showing how videos are placed inside module folders
Facilitators can use a screen capture like this or create their own legend of key mapping to refer to while running the simulation.
Figure 11
Figure 11. A screenshot demonstrating how to run Annenberg Hotkeys
Right clicking on the index.html file and selecting “Open with” will allow one to select a browser that is not the default browser to launch Annenberg Hotkeys.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Annenberg Hotkeys. [ Mar; 2025 ]. 2020. https://www.asc.upenn.edu/annenberg-hotkeys https://www.asc.upenn.edu/annenberg-hotkeys
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    1. Asynchronous and synchronous e-learning. Hrastinski S. https://er.educause.edu/articles/2008/11/asynchronous-and-synchronous-el... Educause Q. 2008;31:51–55.
    1. Lioce L, Lopreiato J, Downing D, et al. The second edition (2.1) of the Healthcare Simulation Dictionary. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2020. Healthcare Simulation Dictionary - Second Edition (2.1). Society for Simulation in Healthcare.
    1. Low-cost "telesimulation" training improves real patient pediatric shock outcomes in India. James EJ, Vyasam S, Venkatachalam S, et al. Front Pediatr. 2022;10:904846. - PMC - PubMed

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