Instructional Design for SmartSim Simulations

This is what we suggest as an overall design for a lesson that contains Simulations:

• Title

• Scenario (Bulleted List of tasks to perform in the lesson)

• Content (Optional text only page)

• Content with Graphic (Optional page with text and graphic)

• The various Simulation Pages

• Text Only (Optional transitional page that is just like Simulation page but no interaction)

• Text Only Summary (a page just like the Simulation pages but no interaction, just text and graphic showing results of performing the tasks correctly)

• Summary

In order to understand what we have done, it is important to know what we have chosen as our instructional model. This design has proven itself in numerous projects we have worked on. Our current design for a Simulation is one that guides the learner through a series of steps to perform a task.

The learner is given instructional text based on the task, and the system responds accordingly depending on the correctness of the interaction. In ToolBook terminology, the Simulation runs in Practice mode. Thus, the learner gets to "Try it" by attempting to perform the step per the instructions with a total number of 3 attempts. Feedback may be tiered based on the the current attempt. For example, on the first incorrect attempt, very generic feedback is given such as "Incorrect. Try again." On the second incorrect attempt, additional generic feedback is provided such as "Incorrect. Read the instructions and try again. On the third and in our model, final incorrect attempt, very specific feedback is provided in a Feedback Text Pane that has an arrow that points to where the learner was supposed to have clicked, etc. Each Simulation page also has a Show Me/Try Again button set with the Show Me button initially being visible. At any time, the learner has the option of clicking the Show Me button which then animates the task required for that screen. The animation includes animating the cursor to a point on the screen where the learner is supposed to click, or autotyping for input into a field. In TooBook, this is referred to as Demonstration mode. Once the Show Me button is clicked, a Try Again button is available to allow the learner to switch the Simulation back to Practice mode where they have 3 additional attempts to perform the task correctly. With this model, the learners performance through the simulation is not scored or cumulatively assessed.

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