Greetings, friends! We are almost halfway through March and spring rapidly approaches. A time for renewal and fresh growth is arriving.
This week, I’ve been thinking a lot about simulation as a teaching technique and how it might fit into the internet’s future aka web3.
I used simulation techniques to teach for a number of years, mostly to introduce technical skills. In education, simulation is defined as “a teaching method that tests participants’ knowledge and skill levels by placing them in scenarios where they must actively solve problems.” Learning objectives such as achieving proficiency at procedural tasks are met in risk-free environments.
Using simulation technique makes learning and training safer. When inevitable mistakes happen, no one is hurt. Identifying these mistakes and teaching learners how to prevent them provides learners with powerful learning opportunities. The medical field and airline industry have made use of simulation techniques in teaching, partly due to the extreme ramifications of mistakes in these fields.
In the medical field, both new trainees and established physicians make use of simulation. For example, all medical students traditionally learn about human anatomy very early in their education. This experience is highlighted by dissecting a human cadaver. Today, augmented reality (AR) equipment exists to replace the need to obtain cadavers each year and provide more standardized instruction.
The airline industry has used simulation techniques to teach piloting skills for many years. Before flying an airplane, pilots spend time becoming comfortable with controls and running through responses to different situations in a simulated aircraft. Wind speed, precipitation, turbulence, and air pressure can all be controlled for various experiences.
A student now dons a pair or AR glasses and the mannequin lying in front of them becomes a cadaver that they can cut and dissect. They can subtract layers of skin, muscle, and connective tissue to work into organ spaces. A student can now pick up the simulated heart and rotate it in all directions to better understand orientation. Text conveniently pops-up on demand to help identify the different chambers and blood vessels surrounding them. Similar learning methods can be used to learn complex nerve and bone structures. There is already a strong emerging market for affordable AR anatomy systems that provide realistic and rich learning experience.
Perhaps we will grow our educational mission in part through simulated activities and techniques. A stimulation platform might be available so that community members can easily share knowledge and skills with each other.
So, how can simulation and the metaverse relate? Will a DAO use simulation techniques to teach its members sundry skills via free online access to educational programs? One might learn how to mint an NFT via simulation. Think of all the simulation enhanced educational programs that might be available. Drawing, skiing, rock climbing, and tai-chi would all be exciting to learn. I would love to learn artistry directly from someone who lives on the other side of the world.
Here’s wishing you all a productive and disruptive week.
The Ruse 