First, Second, Third, … Drafts
Once you have the first draft outlined, you want to get feedback from your advisory team members. The advisory team should consist of students, educators, and experts in the field of the virtual simulation content. The advisory team can help review the case scenario storyline and identify any gaps, as well as add suggestions to decision point questions, options and feedback.
Here are some questions you can ask the advisory team to help focus their feedback:
- Is the virtual gaming simulation content realistic?
- Is the information accurate? (e.g., medications, terminology, interventions)
- Is the language authentic and inclusive?
- Does it incorporate EDI principles?
- Are there any gaps?
- Do they have any additional suggestions?
From the advisory team’s feedback, you can begin to work on the second draft of the script.
The second draft is the one that you will share with the actors and filming team. They may have additional suggestions and feedback related to the creative process. After you make the revisions, the next draft will be the one you use during the read through. Once again, minor changes may occur after you hear the actors read the lines. You will use the updated version for filming.
Assign a team member to edit the script while filming. Once again, changes will occur once you see and hear the script in action. You will use this edited version to assist you when creating the closed captioning for the videos.
As you can imagine, the script is a dynamic and live document that goes through many stages. It is important to maintain the document and keep it up to date to help with the virtual simulation process and flow.
Educator Tip
Scripting Template
When writing a virtual gaming simulation, you will have many versions of the script. A good practice we learned is to date each new version and add the older version into a folder. If needed, you can refer back to earlier versions to understand why the team made a certain change.
There are many examples of script templates that you can use. Here is an example of a portion of the script template we used when writing our virtual simulation: Sample Script Template. If you like this template, here is a blank copy: Blanket Script Template.
This template can be used as a guideline if you choose to film the virtual simulation. The template can help outline the decision point questions, answers, feedback, as well as help build the script narrative for the characters and each scene.
