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This video was produced for the Queensland VET Development Centre
Simulation-based evidence.
In an ideal world, learners would learn and be assessed in their places of work.
However, even rocket scientists have yet to work out a way to provide learners with the
opportunity to practice and be assessed within a real-life workplace.
Yet before they gain a qualification, learners need the opportunity to practice in a risk-free
environment and demonstrate their learning.
Fortunately, not all of us are training astronauts so don't need access to multi-million dollar
space simulators.
What we do need is a plan to use technology effectively to create simulations that involve
relevant, authentic, messy problems for learners to solve - where they can apply and demonstrate
their knowledge and skills and where we as educators provide the types of supports and
resources learners are likely to encounter in their future workplaces.
For individual, self-paced learning the National VET eLearning Strategies' Toolbox site offers
self-contained learning objects featuring messy problems and real life scenarios complete
with resources and supports. While they are targeted at specific units
of competency and may not be relevant to your specific needs, these toolboxes can provide
a source of inspiration and guidance in producing your own simulations.
Should you find one that is relevant, these free and/or low cost resources are designed
to work within a range of learning management systems.
Some learning management systems offer branched learning activities, like Moodle's lesson
that allow you to create your own learning package with branched pathways based on learner
choices. As with the Toolboxes, the authenticity of the assessment comes from the planning
behind the tasks, supports and resources.
Immersive learning environments such as virtual worlds and immersive games offer rich opportunities
to re-create real world environments for live interactions and workplace simulations.
Or for learners to learn real-world skills in an out of this world environment.
Video
Interactions and role plays with others can take place via text or voice chat - and research
shows the sense of being with others is heightened by moving through 3D space.
In addition to role plays, virtual worlds can also be used for other types of simulations
and activities including: Collaborative building; Modelling of complex concepts; and Experiencing
other cultures, places and times.
Immersive games can be created to teach about a specific topic or environment.
Or a specific skill set, such as flying an aeroplane in a flight simulator.
And some games aim to empower people to solve the world's most urgent problems.
Even games not specifically designed to be educational - such as World of Warcraft - are
being used for teaching and demonstrating a range of skills from leadership and teamwork
to anthropology to economics.
And augmented reality - the overlay of information on the real world as viewed through a device
- is creating even more new opportunities for immersive training experiences using technology
The best way to learn about immersive environments for education is to start as a participant.
You will need a broadband internet connection, late model hardware, a good to great graphics
card and a headset with microphone.
And you will also need to allow time into understanding the mechanics and culture of
the environment you're exploring.
Whether 2D or 3D, ensure your simulation assessments provide authentic activities and resources
that are well grounded in the principles of fairness, flexibility, reliability and validity
that underlie all quality assessment..
This video is the sixth in the Queensland VET Development Centre's eAssessment Advancing
Practice video series. The others are: Introduction to eAssessment; Text-based evidence; Social
and collaborative evidence; Audio evidence and Visual evidence
To get the most out of your learning experience, explore the website located at evet.qld.edu.au.
There you will be able to: share your insights and questions with other learners in the discussion area;
watch the other advancing practice videos and their related case studies; and download
the related fact sheets.