Best Practices Using Technology

From Virtual Worlds

• Observations of trainees behavior during various simulations (such as teamwork and leadership exercises, procedural training, communications training, etc.) are important. However, to get real benefits of using virtual worlds, use simulations that record trainee actions and provide you with objective data in addition to observations. Save raw, unprocessed data that were recorded during the simulation. If you decide to change parameters or process data differently, using other metrics, statistical analyses, or software, you can always do it later using raw data.
• Use an outside database for data storage and a Web interface for reviewing results.
• Encourage your employees to try out leadership roles in the nonthreatening environment of the virtual world.
• Second Life provides a working platform for creating complex procedural training simulations. Simulations can consist of dozens of major steps with numerous decision points that, in turn, can branch into additional sub-procedures based on the learner's actions. Such simulations help students to learn complex procedural steps in a safe and controlled learning space.
• Second Life provides programming tools allowing users to record the learner's name, actions, and equipment used, as well as the time of the actions. The instructor can access this information to evaluate the student's performance and provide feedback. In simple simulations, evaluation can be done automatically or semi-automatically. In more complex simulations, human interpretation of the results may be required.
• As often happens with technology, the most difficult part of developing a complex simulation is the interaction and coordination among human participants at all levels. Programmers and developers have to learn the procedure they are modeling and build and script equipment objects, while subject knowledge experts must evaluate simulation components. This is an iterative process requiring great communication on all sides, in addition to a well-defined common vision.