Simulation at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Simulation from edX

Simulation-based education continues to evolve, transcending traditional brick-and-mortar facilities. Faculty must embrace innovative tools and methodologies to support distance learning and meet the educational needs of modern learners. This 8-week online course, rooted in decades of academic and practical teaching expertise, empowers educators with foundational skills to effectively integrate simulation-based teaching into distance and online education.

Learners will engage in a high-touch, collaborative online environment, buildinga community of interprofessional educators and practitioners. Through project-based learning, participants will explore the use of contemporary and emerging technologies, analyze challenges, and craft solutions to enhance distance simulation teaching.

This course provides:

● A foundation in distance simulation best practices and principles.

● Practical insights into leveraging multi-modal technologies.

● Exposure to commercially produced software and hardware solutions.

● Opportunities to collaborate on the development of educational tools and distance-based simulations.

Ideal for healthcare educators and faculty, this course prepares participants to deliver impactful, evidence-based distance simulation education, equipping them to address the evolving demands of learners, institutions, and clinical practice globally.

What's inside

Learning objectives

● describe principles of distance simulation and andragogy (adult learning).
● discuss best practices for distance simulation teaching.
● evaluate emerging technologies for distance education.
● identify challenges in distance simulation teaching paradigms.
● develop solutions using educational games and simulations.

● integrate hardware and software into health sciences curricula.
● collaborate with peers to design distance simulation strategies.
● build a foundation for interprofessional distance simulation practice.
● create a vision for future distance simulation-based education solutions.
● describe best practices for pitching innovative technology ideas to leadership.

● describe principles of distance simulation and andragogy (adult learning).
● discuss best practices for distance simulation teaching.
● evaluate emerging technologies for distance education.
● identify challenges in distance simulation teaching paradigms.
● develop solutions using educational games and simulations.
● integrate hardware and software into health sciences curricula.
● collaborate with peers to design distance simulation strategies.
● build a foundation for interprofessional distance simulation practice.
● create a vision for future distance simulation-based education solutions.
● describe best practices for pitching innovative technology ideas to leadership.

Syllabus

Week 1: Describing the Foundations of Distance Simulation

Explore the complexity of teaching and learning in distance simulation. Discuss published guidelines, compare in-person and distance simulation, and address psychological safety. Begin planning a distance simulation scenario.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides practical insights into leveraging multi-modal technologies, which can enhance engagement and learning outcomes in healthcare education

Explores the complexity of teaching and learning in distance simulation, which is essential for educators transitioning to online environments

Exposes learners to commercially produced software and hardware solutions, which can be costly for some educators to acquire and implement

Develops solutions using educational games and simulations, which are increasingly popular and effective tools in modern education

Examines best practices for pitching innovative technology ideas to leadership, which is a valuable skill for advocating for resources and support

Requires learners to build a detailed simulation scenario and draft an implementation plan, which may require additional resources and time

Reviews summary

Foundations and practice in distance simulation

According to students, this course provides a solid foundation in the principles and practices of distance simulation-based education. Learners particularly value the practical, project-based approach, which culminates in designing and pitching their own simulation scenario. The focus on applying concepts directly to online and distance environments is seen as highly relevant for educators transitioning from in-person methods. The collaborative online environment and peer interaction are frequently mentioned as positive aspects that enhance learning and community building. While providing a comprehensive overview, some learners noted it is best suited for those seeking foundational knowledge.

Solid base for beginners.

"This course provides a strong foundation for anyone new to distance simulation."

"Good for understanding the basic principles and concepts."

"While comprehensive for a foundation, it may not delve into advanced technical specifics."

Well-structured 8-week program.

"The 8-week structure with clear weekly modules was easy to follow."

"Liked how the course built upon concepts week after week towards the final project."

"The pace felt appropriate, allowing time for both learning and project work."

Engaging peer interaction.

"The collaborative environment and peer feedback were instrumental to my learning."

"Building connections with other educators in the field was a huge plus."

"I enjoyed the group activities and learning from my peers' experiences."

Addresses unique online needs.

"The course specifically addressed the challenges and opportunities of distance simulation, which is exactly what I needed."

"Loved the focus on technologies and strategies applicable to online teaching."

"This course gave me practical tools to implement simulation effectively in a virtual setting."

Design and pitch your own scenario.

"The opportunity to design my own simulation scenario throughout the course was incredibly valuable and practical."

"Working on a project I can actually use has been the most helpful part."

"I really appreciated the project-based structure that allowed me to apply what I learned step-by-step."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Simulation at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Simulation with these activities:

Review Andragogy Principles

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Reviewing andragogy principles will help you better understand the needs of adult learners in distance simulation environments.

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Read articles or book chapters on andragogy.
Summarize the key principles of andragogy.
Reflect on how these principles apply to distance simulation.

Read 'The Distance Education Handbook'

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Reading this book will provide a solid foundation in distance education principles and practices, enhancing your understanding of the course material.

View Distance Education: A Systems View of Online... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'The Distance Education Handbook'.
Read the chapters relevant to simulation and technology.
Take notes on key concepts and best practices.

Compile a List of Distance Simulation Tools

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Compiling a list of distance simulation tools will expose you to a variety of technologies and help you identify the best options for your needs.

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Research different software and hardware solutions for distance simulation.
Categorize the tools based on their features and applications.
Create a spreadsheet or document with descriptions and links.

Four other activities

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Design a Distance Simulation Scenario

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Designing a distance simulation scenario will allow you to apply the course concepts and develop practical skills in creating effective learning experiences.

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Define the learning objectives for your scenario.
Develop a storyline and implementation plan.
Identify the technologies and resources needed.
Create pre-briefing and debriefing materials.

Read 'Games, Simulations, and Play'

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Reading this book will provide insights into the design and implementation of effective simulations, enhancing your ability to create engaging distance learning experiences.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Games, Simulations, and Play'.
Read the chapters on simulation design and implementation.
Reflect on how these concepts apply to distance simulation.

Create a Video Pitch for a Distance Simulation Idea

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Creating a video pitch will help you refine your communication skills and effectively present your ideas to leadership.

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Develop a concise and compelling pitch for your idea.
Create a storyboard for your video.
Record and edit your video pitch.
Share your video with peers for feedback.

Mentor a Peer on Distance Simulation Design

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Mentoring a peer will reinforce your understanding of distance simulation principles and provide valuable teaching experience.

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Offer to mentor a peer who is new to distance simulation.
Provide guidance and feedback on their simulation design.
Share your knowledge and resources with them.

Career center

Learners who complete Simulation at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Simulation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Healthcare Educator

A healthcare educator teaches clinical skills and knowledge to healthcare professionals and students. This course is directly aligned with the needs of a healthcare educator using remote learning. The course provides a foundation in distance simulation best practices and gives insight into multi-modal technologies which are especially relevant for remote education. This course also offers a focus on the development of educational tools, including simulation scenarios which a healthcare educator may need to create. The focus on collaboration is also valuable because many healthcare educators work in interprofessional teams.

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Simulation Specialist

A simulation specialist designs, implements, and evaluates simulation-based learning experiences, often in healthcare settings. This role requires a deep understanding of simulation principles, which this course provides. The course emphasizes hands-on development of scenarios, implementation plans, and technology integration which are all core tasks for a simulation specialist. The course’s focus on distance learning and the use of technology makes it particularly useful as it teaches how to overcome the special challenges of remote learning. By focusing on best practices for distance simulation, this course prepares prospective specialists to adapt to the increasing need for remote learning options. The collaborative projects also help build a foundation for effective teamwork.

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eLearning Specialist

An elearning specialist uses technology to design and deliver online learning experiences. This course is highly relevant because of its specific focus on distance education, and the use of software and hardware. This course's project-based learning approach, and focus on best practices for educators, prepares an eLearning specialist well. The course specifically covers the design of simulations and the use of various technologies, as well as how to overcome challenges of distance learning. The course's emphasis on gaining leadership support will also serve an elearning specialist well.

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Faculty Development Specialist

A faculty development specialist helps educators improve their teaching skills and methods. This course is highly relevant to that because it focuses on the development and implementation of distance simulations that faculty members might need to utilize. The course offers practical insights into leveraging multi-modal technologies, an area in which faculty may need training. The course also gives opportunities to collaborate on the development of tools and distance-based simulation. The focus on how to pitch ideas to leadership is also helpful as a faculty development specialist will likely need to persuade faculty to adopt new techniques. By understanding the challenges and the best practices of this medium, this course can help a faculty development specialist.

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Online Learning Coordinator

An online learning coordinator oversees the delivery of online courses and programs. This course is particularly useful as it includes a foundation in distance simulation which is a key component of online learning. Similarly, the course’s exploration of multi-modal technologies and collaboration in an online environment aligns with the job function. The course’s focus on the design and implementation of simulation scenarios as well as identifying and overcoming challenges in the medium is relevant. By focusing on best practices for distance learning, this course helps prepare any online learning coordinator.

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Training Coordinator

A training coordinator plans and organizes training programs, which may include online modules. This course can be useful to a training coordinator as it provides a foundation in distance simulation and adult learning. The course also offers practical experience with multi-modal technologies and collaborative online environments. The emphasis on developing and implementing simulation scenarios, coupled with the focus on overcoming challenges, can apply to many areas of training design. A training coordinator also needs to get buy-in from leadership and the course's focus on pitching technology and ideas can help with that.

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Instructional Designer

An instructional designer creates learning materials and experiences, frequently using technologies for online learning. This course may be useful for an instructional designer because it includes a deep dive into distance simulation, something many are unfamiliar with. The course's emphasis on project-based learning that spans several weeks and includes scenario design and technology integration is directly applicable to the work of an instructional designer. Further, the course also asks participants to develop pitches for their work which is an important part of designing educational materials. The course's focus on best practices and overcoming challenges in distance learning are also relevant.

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Educational Consultant

An educational consultant advises educational institutions and organizations on how to improve their programs and practices. This course may be useful as it gives practical experience in developing and implementing distance learning strategies, which educational consultants are often are asked for guidance on. The course also discusses different technologies available which allows an educational consultant to provide informed recommendations. The focus on pitching innovative technology is also applicable to the role of an educational consultant. The best practices for distance learning discussed in the course will be relevant for anyone advising on education.

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Curriculum Developer

A curriculum developer creates educational programs and courses. This course may be useful because it offers participants opportunities to design, develop, and refine educational simulations, useful skills for a curriculum developer. This course focuses on distance learning best practices that can provide valuable insights for developing comprehensive and effective online learning programs. The course's emphasis on collaboration, feedback, and iterative design are directly applicable to building courses. The course's focus on leadership buy-in is also helpful to someone developing a curriculum since they must often advocate for the adoption of new programs.

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Technology Integration Specialist

A technology integration specialist helps educators incorporate technology effectively into their teaching practices. This course is useful because of its focus on leveraging multi-modal technologies to create learning opportunities in distance education. The course also includes many opportunities to examine and develop tech solutions for learning and to discuss the challenges of distance education. The project-based learning approach and the creation of simulations also provide valuable insights for any technology integration specialist working with educational tools. It may be especially relevant since this course focuses on newer technologies.

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Educational Technologist

An educational technologist integrates technology into teaching and learning. This course may be helpful to an educational technologist as it provides hands-on experience with various technologies. The course's emphasis on building and implementing distance simulations and leveraging multi-modal technologies to enhance learning provides direct, practical applications of that technology. The course also challenges participants to overcome challenges which mirrors the work of an educational technologist. By participating in a project-based learning environment, an educational technologist will gain skills relevant to integrating technology in education.

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Medical Education Researcher

A medical education researcher investigates the effectiveness of medical education methods and technologies. This course may be useful because it provides a practical foundation in distance simulation best practices, and the use of technologies in education. The course also spends time discussing challenges, which could lead to a research question. Through the course, a medical education researcher can gain valuable information on simulation scenario design, implementation, and assessment which informs their research. The collaborative environment can also expose them to other perspectives on medical education.

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Academic Program Manager

An academic program manager oversees the development and implementation of academic programs and courses. While this course focuses on simulation, it may be helpful to an academic program manager because it provides a deep dive into best practices in distance learning, a common request of academic programs. The course's emphasis on project-based learning, the creation of learning objectives, and the use of technologies, provides insight into the design and implementation of academic programs. Since an academic program manager often has to pitch ideas to leadership, the course's focus on gaining leadership buy-in may also be useful.

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Education Administrator

An education administrator manages educational programs and institutions, often including online programs. This course may be useful for an education administrator as it provides a practical understanding of distance learning, including its challenges and best practices. The curriculum includes a focus on pitching innovative technology ideas to leadership, which is a key skill for an administrator. Through the course's exploration of simulation technologies and distance-based learning, an education administrator can gain specific insight into best practices for online learning. This direct experience can help them make informed decisions about their programs.

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Simulation Technician

A simulation technician operates and maintains simulation equipment, and helps to implement simulation scenarios. Though this course focuses on the creation and design of simulations, it may be useful because it teaches the fundamentals of simulation, including best practices. This course also emphasizes the use of hardware and software. Additionally, working through the development of a simulation and its different parts, including the pre-briefing, debriefing, and objectives, provides valuable background. The projects and collaboration will also give a simulation technician useful skills.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Simulation at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Simulation.

Distance Education: A Systems View of Online...

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This handbook comprehensive resource for understanding the theory and practice of distance education. It covers a wide range of topics, including instructional design, technology integration, and learner support. It is particularly useful for gaining a broad understanding of the field and identifying best practices. is commonly used as a textbook in distance education programs.

Distance Education: A Systems View of Online...

Paperback

$$$

Putting Knowledge to Work

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Explores the use of games and simulations in various contexts, including education and training. It provides insights into the design and implementation of effective simulations. While not specifically focused on distance education, it offers valuable perspectives on engaging learners through interactive experiences. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference.

Putting Knowledge to Work

Paperback

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Putting Knowledge to Work

Kindle Edition

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