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Online Simulations Grant Scheme

Introduction

UWE has a large number of students who will pursue subsequent careers in a wide range of professions. An important part of that education is the ability to synthesise theory and practice, and UWE has a good track record of facilitating and encouraging placements, work-based learning and similar approaches that help students with this synthesis. Developments in technology over the past 2-3 years have now created opportunities to enable students to experience simulations of events and situations that are difficult or impossible to organise in real life, before they put their skills into practice in the real world. Also, simulations can be run forwards and backwards in time and be experienced more than once. Information and communication technologies (ICT) can support these developments through integration of existing services such as VLEs and content/communication systems, together with the emerging social networking technologies and virtual worlds.

The university is committed to developing innovative uses of technology that support learning and teaching activities with a simulation focus, particularly those directly related to professional activities that could have a positive impact on employability prospects. Those simulation activities should be fully integrated into the curriculum to ensure that practice is effectively informed and developed by theory, and vice versa.

Embedding simulation-led learning activities in the curriculum could become a key differentiator of UWE’s provision and thus strengthen its market position, and national and international profiles. Simulations also have significant potential in preparing home students for study and/or work placements overseas.

Applying for a grant

Applications are invited from faculties to develop online simulations of real-life experiences that will have, or can demonstrate the potential for, a direct impact upon student learning and future employment prospects. Simulation in the context used in this call has a wide definition and can be taken to mean any experience that mimics or represents activities of a professional nature and/or events that students are likely to experience in the real world in a work or professional setting. For examples of current online simulation projects see our SHE mini site.

Requests for funding up to £10,000 per project will be considered. Funding can be used for the following purposes:

  • Replacement staff time
  • Contracts with external consultancies
  • Ancillary activities in support of the project, including the purchase of peripheral software
  • Consumables

Funding cannot be used to buy hardware or to subscribe to external web services, including Second Life. One-off land purchases in Second Life or other virtual worlds can be made with this funding, but ongoing costs for services (e.g. maintenance grants and premium avatar accounts) must be budgeted from faculty funds to ensure sustainability of the project in the future.

Faculties can submit more than one application, but normally only one application per faculty will be funded as we wish to encourage engagement across the university. Applications that involve more than one faculty are welcomed, but they must identify the lead faculty. Evidence of faculty executive support is required for all applications.

Preference will be given to those applications that can demonstrate additional or matching funding from the faculty.
Applicants will find it helpful to consider the following when developing applications.

  • Can you identify a current learning need that would be met or partially met by the use of simulation?
  • How will students be involved in the design and/or creation of the simulation?
  • What likely work experiences are currently difficult, dangerous or unethical to arrange as real life experiences for students?
  • Are there any experiences of immersion in other languages or cultures that would be beneficial to students?
  • Simulations can sometimes be visualised as games, e.g. competitive business simulations. Is there any scope for team or individual games in your curriculum?

Preference will be given to applications that

  • Intend to develop simulations of real-life professional activities that are grounded in the existing curriculum
  • Are interdisciplinary
  • Have a high degree of student involvement
  • Can articulate the potential for the simulation techniques developed to be applicable within and outside the original subject domain

Successful applicants would be expected to work closely with the Elearning Development Unit and to become active members of a simulations network.

Application form

You can apply online or download an application form. Applicants can received advice and support  from the ELDU by contacting elearning@uwe.ac.uk

Completed application forms should also be emailed to elearning@uwe.ac.uk

  • Closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 26th March 2010.
  • Applicants will be informed of the results of their application by Friday 23rd April 2010 at the latest.
  • Projects would be expected to start development work between May – July 2010 and at least be piloted during the academic year 2010/11.

Further considerations

Successful applications would be expected to make use of technologies currently available in or from UWE, but we don’t preclude the development of other technologies. However, applicants should be realistic about the amount of time and resource that might be necessary, and be clear that the proposed technology can currently be supported by or accessed from UWE. These grants are not for the development of new technologies as such, but for the use or adaptation of existing technologies to simulate real life experiences.