This project led to the development of the Simulated Person Methodology (SPM) program, a pan-universityinitiative now supported by the York University Office of the Associate Vice-President Teaching and Learning, the Experiential Education Hub and the Teaching Commons. This university-wide initiative provides a unique, interactive learning experience—in the form of a workshop—for educators who are interested in using SPs in the classroom. Simply put, an SP is a person trained to portray a specific role in educational case scenarios. The workshop component of this initiative teaches faculty the principles of simulation and experiential learning, role writing, debriefing, and simulation facilitation. Faculty members can create a role for use in the classroom and work closely with trained simulators to refine these roles to meet curriculum and learning objectives; as well, they have an opportunity to facilitate simulated practice encounters, during which they receive coaching.
The research associated with this initiative has led to an innovative SP model to disseminate SPM within higher education to reach disciplines beyond health. The model includes workshops for faculty and the development of a 3-credit course “Reflective Practice Through Simulation” and has been published about in two international journals. The advantages of this model are myriad: The workshop trains educators from across disciplines in devising simulation scenarios and extending them into their classes, potentially expanding the use of simulation into disciplines where it is not used or is underemployed. This is noteworthy, as the high costs of simulation traditionally have dissuaded its use in undergraduate classrooms beyond the health disciplines.
FUNDED BY:
Academic Innovation Fund Category I – York University, 2016
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