SHE: Accident Investigation
- Overview
- Simulator Evaluation
- FAQs
Overview
The accident investigation simulation includes an accident that runs in the event simulator that we have been working on with Citrus Virtual. The simulator consists of 3 elements:
- the set
- the simulator "engine" and
- the scenario
The idea is to enable students to experience different kinds of events and to interact with them through their avatars. The events are the kinds of situations they are likely to encounter in practice. The intention of these simulations is to help students to prepare for real life experiences on placements and in their final practice. It is important to stress that these simulations do not replace real life placement/practice, but are intended as an augmentation that can help students to become familiar with working environments.
The accident investigation is used with students of Environmental Health studying risk, accident causation theory and investigation techniques. It is a fork lift truck accident in a warehouse. A group of students witness the accident through their avatars, then a second group of "investigators" see only the aftermath of the accident and interview the "witnesses", as well as gathering information from the set, e.g. documents from filing cabinets. They then take the information away and construct fault or event trees and reconstruct the accident. They then take their reconstructions back to the SL set and we re-run the accident so that they can reflect upon their findings. There is a great deal of scope for discussion on accident causation theory, investigation techniques and many other issues relevant to the risk of accidents and its analysis.
Details on how the accident investigation operates can be found in the tutorials section of this website.
Regular updates on this simulation can be found on our blog. Regular updates on this simulation can be found on this site.
Simulator Evaluation
We've just completed the evaluation of this year's activity and we're in the process of analysing all the data from surveys, observations and focus groups.
The full report can be found on our Technology Enhance Learning Research site - and summarised findings relating to 'real' compared to 'virtual' classrooms can be seen here.
Other simulations in Second Life
Residential Care Home
The second simulation is of elderly residents in a care home, and is being developed by our Social Work colleagues.
Risk Assessment
We’re working with Citrus Virtual on another simulator to support our Environmental Health students. This time it’s a risk assessment simulator, set in a boat hire premises. We have more details here.
More information about the Risk Assessment simulation can be found here.
FAQs
1. What technology does this simulation use?
It uses an 'Simulator Engine' that has been set up in a visual 3D virtual world called Second Life. Second Life is free and can be acessed online and created by its Residents. (www.secondlife.com)
2. What are the minimum specifications required to run Second Life?
The minimum computer specifications can be found at the Second Life support site.
3. What are the basic second life controls?
This question, along with other basic questions regarding the use of Second Life can be found on the Second Life Wiki Page:
Controls: http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Category:LSL_Controls
Home: http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Main_page
4. Who created the E-Learnng environment and simulation engine?
The E-Learning Development Unit is an academic unit. The website offers help and support to all members of UWE staff in designing, developing, and running courses that use online technologies or electronic media. They are written and updated by members of the E-Learning Development Unit, who work closely with the Academic Technologies Group in IT Services.
The E-Learning team developed the E-Learning island, and the simulation environment in partnership with Citurs Virtual.
Citrus Virtual Limited is a content design and creation consultancy for the Second Life and Openlife virtual worlds.
Specialising in architecturally designed, unique virtual spaces, educational systems and environments, it seeks to provide clients with memorable and interactive virtual spaces.
5. What is the E-Learning island?
The 'Elearning at UWE' island has been built in Second Life - a lovely job by Citrus Virtual, with lots of education goodies like virtual whiteboards, discussion group controls, URL and slide show displays, email stations etc etc. Here’s a couple of views of the presentation amphitheatre, breakout pods and exhibition hall, and a view of the central landing hub.
Here is a plan of the island. The RO will be at the top right of the island, as viewed in the picture here.
A larger image of the plan is also available.
Access to our Second Life island
If you have an account in Second Life, our island SLURL is:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Elearning%20at%20UWE/110/128/35
If you do not have a Second Life account, it is easy to sign up through the Serious Games Institute website.
For more information: please see our introduction to Second Life
6. What is the purpose of the simulation engine?
The idea is to enable students to witness different kinds of events and to interact with them through their avatars.
The first scenerio will take place in a warehouse in the light industrial set CV have built for us on the island.
7. How do I access the E-Learning environment once in Second Life?
The best way to learn how to find and utilise the E-Learning environment is to watch our turorial video, which can be found on the tutorials section of our website.
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Page last updated 11 June 2012