This document discusses using 3D simulations and virtual reality to bring real world experiences to online learning. It argues that simulations allow students to "do" and learn through situated, immersive experiences. Game engines now provide opportunities to create engaging learning environments that capture real world concepts and allow students to apply knowledge. Examples of existing simulations are provided in various fields like healthcare, sciences, and engineering. The document envisions a future where simulations are more fully integrated into online education through virtual campuses and environments to improve learning outcomes.

1. Bringing Real World Experiences to online
learning using simulation
John Bourne, Ph.D
Chief Academic Officer
American Sentinel University
Executive Director Emeritus, The Sloan Consortium
Emeritus Professor at Olin College, Babson College

2. Why consider Simulation for “Real
World Experiences?
•
•
•
3-D Simulations based on game engines provide high-fidelity realism.
The way students learn best is by “doing”; “doing” things can be done
in a 3-D world.
• But, it is a challenge to “do” online – we think 3D simulations
provide that affordance through situated learning in immersive
environments.
3-D Game technology now provides an excellent platform for creating
learning situations that are:
•
•
•
2
Engaging, Immersive, Situated
Capture concepts and easily transfer to real world
Hypothesis: students will learn better, retain knowledge longer and be able
to apply knowledge in their careers with more use of immersive simulations
in their education.

3. Computer-based Educational
Simulations
Progress over the decades

4. Steamer – circa 1980s

5. Work in South Korea
– 15 years ago.
Appeared in IMEJ;
with permission.

6. Work in South Korea – 15 years
ago. Appeared in IMEJ; with
permission.

7. Chemistry sim: Concord Consortium

8. The Movement to:
“Real Experiences”

9. Loyalist College massively improves test scores and
training outcomes in border crossing simulation

10. Virtual Blended
10
Above: from VenueGen

11. Health Simulations are being implemented to
teach:
Diagnostic Skills
Communication Skills
Health Promotion
Environmental Health

12. Tox Town: National Library of Medicine (NIH)

13. Affordances for Sims
Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Biology
Health Care: Nursing, Medicine, Pharmacy, Informatics
Arts and Sciences, General Ed: History, Sociology,
Literature……
Technology: Programming, CS, IS, Game Design and Building,
GIS,
Engineering:
Mechanical/manufacturing: Chemical: chemical plants ,
process flow;
Civil -construction, historical events (e.g., Tacoma narrows)
Math: using affordances of 3D mathematical knowledge, learning
math through visualization, game design
13

14. Creating a Mash-up Strategy for
Delivery
Hello:
This is Rick, I’m
your guide-on-theside. Ask me about
things you want to
know about using
this learning
system:
Traditional Web
14
1
Virtual Campus
2
Artificial Intelligence
3

15. The Virtual Campus

16. Museum and Resource Center
•
Slides on nursing history
(walk around, review, talk
to docents)
•
Resources for how to use
tools (e.g. Turn it in,
ePortfolios, Moodle)
•
Staffed by bots and
student success advisors

17. Virtual Learning Center

18. Nursing Theorists
The Florence Nightingale Bot Dialogs

19. The Appalachian Community
Environment

20. The View the Student Sees (nursing)

21. Assessing Simulations
Characteristic
Description
Onboarding
Introduction provides explanation tutorial and practice
Interaction
Robust interaction with sim
Feedback
Immediate feedback given
Identity
Learning identifies with own identity in-world
Immersion
Immersion provides “Flow” (Csikszentmihalyi)
Pleasurable frustration
Provides challenges that are overcome with work
Manipulation
Objects in-world can be manipulated (fluid)
Increasing skills/knowledge
Scaffolded learning is evident and clear
Rules
Rules are provide at outset
Informed learning
Students understand what the rules are
Pedagogy
The material could not be taught without the sim
Multi and single player
COI is evident and NPCs used for anywhere-anytime
21

22. View through windshield
Windshield Survey for Nursing
Community Health course:
Systematic observations made from a
moving vehicle with an objective of
improving health in a community.
22

23. 23

24. 24

25. 25

26. Virtual Hospital/Health Assessment

27. The India Simulation
Purpose:
Teach how
to filter
water in
an
Indian
Village
that has
arsenic
in its
water

29. The Next Immersion step: Oculus Rift
and Razer Hydra
How do you
teach how
to draw
blood?
Millimeter accuracy

30. Some things you can do!
• Learn about educational simulations
• Build simulations with Unity 3D engine for free
(www.unity3d.com for download).
• Talk to Reaction Grid (at this conference) and to our
American Sentinel team that is creating sims for
STEM fields (especially nursing)
• Join the Sloan-C STEM special interest group
• Write me (John.Bourne@americansentinel.edu)
about your interests

31. 1.800.729.2427
www.americansentinel.edu