Simulations -- the reality and the challenges

"I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand." How often do instructional professionals act on those words? Interactve simulations let us take what would be dangerous, difficult, or expensive tasks and put them safely in the hands of learners. This makes simulations one of the most powerful tools at our disposal for learning.

This month's meeting is built around several real-world instructional simulations developed with Macromedia Flash. They're fun, they're engaging, and they're built on a budget. At the end, we'll open up to a wider variety of simulations with an "open house" of simulation developers.

Agenda and Schedule

Monday, April 26, 10am-1pm including lunchtime demos

We're adopting a condensed schedule this month to better meet our members' needs.

9:30 am	Introductions and coffee
10 am - noon	Presentations: Choose your Simulation: Richard Clark, NextQuestion Consulting [presentation][handout] "Simulation" means different things to different people. We'll lay out a map that puts the different classes of simulation into perspective. Simulating Devices: Jonathan Kaye, Amethyst Interactive Device simulations are an inexpensive and powerful way to train people on expensive equipment or software or provide a compelling view of a system before a sale. We'll show how these can be used both for instruction and for evaluation. Flash simulations in medical education: JohnHathaway, GeneEd [presentation] With so much automation in their workplace, how do you train workers in a biomanufacturing plant to make a difference? How do you develop safe working habits before ever leaving the classroom? How do you develop an intuitive sense for troubleshooting? See how simulations can develop all these skills, do it with fun and flair, and be built on a budget. Learn about the project management implications of simulation development from a veteran. The cutting edge: Jim Schyuler, Red 7 How can you teach the softest of soft skills? See how multiplayer gaming and video meets ancient traditions to teach ethics to young adults. The Play's the thing: Clark Quinn, Ottersurf Labs [presentation] Look at the border between games and simulations and get started on the road to designing them..
Noon - 1	Lunch with the presenters and "show and tell" demos from invited companies.

Why attend?

Do you design or develop instruction, or manage people who do? Are you a trainer who wants another powerful tool at your disposal? All our presenters have traveled the emerging territory of simulations and are ready to show how simulations can be brought into reality today.

The Presenters

Richard Clark (meeting coordinator) is the Emergent Learning Forum webmaster and a seasoned instructional technologist with over 15 years experience making highly technical topics clear. HIs most recent work includes automated tools for building learning objects and a powerful simulation-building framework. He'll set the stage for the meeting and share practical advice for getting started with your own simulation design.

Jonathan Kaye of Amethyst Interactive literally wrote the book on building simulations in Flash and maintains a web site for Flash simulation builders. He'll share his insights on developing device simulations.

John Hathaway is the Chief Technical Officer for GeneEd, a San Franisco-based boutique developer of medical education. He'll share the project management implications of developing simulations and show some work that's been done recently for the biopharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Clark Quinn, of Ottersurf Labs, is a familiar figure to ELF members. He'll share his research on what makes games and simulations effective.

Lunchtime demos

Simulations encompass such a broad field that we'd be hard-pressed to cover them all in a morning. To help you see what's possible, we're inviting several companies to the lunchtime "show and tell". If you're attending in-person, feel free to pick up your lunch, talk with the presenters, and walk around to the demonstrations.

The demos includes work by:

Each of these companies has agreed to bring in more than just a demo, but to include substantial information on the design, creation, and/or deployment of simulations.

Altus Learning Systems has offered to capture the demos and we intend to broadcast demos one by one during the lunch hour.

Attending in person

The meeting is at Genentech in South San Francisco. [directions] As parking is limited, you'll need to park in the Parking Structure at 611 Gateway Blvd., starting on Level 2 (Blue Section) and take the free shuttle. There are signs stating where the shuttle bus picks the passengers up.

We suggest you arrive by 9:30 am.

We're meeting in Building 25. The bus will drop you off at Building 24 so you will need to walk a short distance to the main lobby of B25. Check in with the receptionist. At 9:45, Genentech staff will escort you to the meeting.

Attending remotely

We're using Macromedia Breeze again this month. Access the classroom via http://internettime.pa.breezecentral.com/r55554013/

For more information

If you want more information about the meeting, contact Richard Clark at rdclark@nextquestion.net.