Key Takeaways
- A curriculum champion thinks positively and innovatively to support student success.
- Begin by completing a needs assessment which will provide direction to create a VGS that fits well into the curriculum to support students’ learning needs.
- A purpose statement will identify the specific focus and goal of the simulation experience. This will inform the learning outcomes or specific goals which will each narrow to several learning objectives to inform the decision point questions.
- When drafting the virtual game consider the purpose, who the audience is, and the learning outcomes and objectives that could be included.
- Decision point questions and feedback should be appropriately challenging to stimulate critical thinking in the player.
- Script development can take time, so start early, and collaborate with students throughout the process, as they offer valuable insight. Start with the script outline then create the storyline. This process will involve multiple drafts.
- Following the script development, the prebrief and debrief questions will need to be drafted. Consider what questions or ideas you want your learners to reflect on and discuss, to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the content.
- When testing the prototype game, the flow, realism, learning outcomes, usability, and accuracy will be critiqued to inform revisions.
Final Thoughts
The virtual gaming simulation process allows the educator to work with students to take an idea they envision together and explore its many possibilities. Through collaborating, the vision becomes narrowed to a specific purpose that fills a learning gap to support student success. Developing a script, decision points with rationales, and prebrief and debrief questions result in a critical thinking experience for learners to navigate and enjoy. So take on the challenge of becoming a curriculum champion and open your eyes to share your vision with others!
