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3. Meet the virtual reality simulationists

Today’s session is led by:

Farrukh Jafri

Nicholas Dadario

4. Learning objectives

Learning objectives for HE-942 students:

  1. Engage in a virtual teamwork experience from the perspective of a participant.

  2. Debrief the experience from the perspectives of both a participant and educator.

  3. Discuss possible applications of the virtual simulation/teamwork platform to your own work as an educator.


Learning objective for a participant in the virtual escape room:

  1. Participate in deliberate practice of teamwork skills through a virtual framework, to improve interprofessional communication during crisis situations.


During our session, HE-942 students will first act as participants in the virtual escape room activity and then reflect on the use of this technique from both the participant and educator perspective.

5. Virtual escape room session schedule

Tuesday October 6 2020, MGHIHP HE-942

6. Set-up instructions for controllers

Nominated controllers: Alex M., Maria S.P., Paul L., Melissa M.

Thank you for your willingness to help with this:

  1. Download the appropriate set-up file at this link (click here).

  2. Install the program to your computer.

  3. Open the installed program.

  4. Share your screen on Zoom (with the virtual escape room program running).

  5. Test sound on Zoom while sharing.

  6. Practice navigation.

7. Small group facilitation instructions

The following small group facilitation reference material is for the four facilitators: Anne, B.A., Farrukh, and Nick.

If your group finishes each step faster than the time allotted, please do go ahead to the next step in the schedule and get ahead of schedule, rather than waiting.

Time Activity Instructions and notes
8:50–9:00 a.m. Get into small groups in breakout rooms This 10-minute period is extra time that is built in. Once everyone reaches the breakout room, proceed to the next step, ideally ahead of schedule.
9:00–9:20 a.m. Watch video, practice navigation Within the escape room game, there is a built-in video. The team controller should share their screen and play this video for everyone to watch and listen. After the video, there will be a navigational tutorial for the controller to practice navigating through the virtual environment. It is fine to take 5–10 minutes to practice navigating. If the group finishes this step early, proceed to the next step so that you have extra time in the escape room if needed.
9:20–10:00 a.m. Escape room activity The team has up to 30 minutes to try to win the game. If the timer expires within the game, the team can restart the game and try again (until 10:00 a.m., no longer than that). If you finish early, you can take a break until 10:00 a.m. or begin the small-group debrief early. If possible, the facilitator should write down just a few observations as the team works, to bring up later during the debrief.
10:00–10:15 a.m. Small group debrief The team should do a quick 15-minute small-group debriefing session, facilitated by the group facilitator (Anne, B.A., Farrukh, or Nick). FACILITATION RECOMMENDATIONS ARE BELOW THIS TABLE. If you finish early, you can take a break.
10:15 a.m. Go back to big group Breakout rooms will close at 10:15 a.m. and everyone will be moved back to the main room for the next activity.


Recommended debrief procedure (10:00-10:15 a.m.):

  1. Introduce the debrief and review the learning objective
    1. “Over the next 15 minutes, we will talk about specific aspects of teamwork and communication within your team during this experience. Please focus on teamwork and communication, rather than aspects of the gameplay and software.”
    2. “As a reminder, our learning objective was to participate in deliberate practice of teamwork skills through a virtual framework, to improve interprofessional communication during crisis situations.”
  2. Reaction phase
    1. “We’ll start with your initial reactions on teamwork and communications during the game. Who would like to go first?”
    2. Invite each team member to share their thoughts, if they wish.
    3. If participants focus on the gameplay or logistics, acknowledge this and then steer them towards the learning objectives.
  3. Analysis phase
    1. “Now I’m going to share some of my observations about watching you complete the exercise. I’m curious about your thoughts behind your actions.”
    2. Share some of your (the facilitator’s) observations.
    3. “Now I would like everyone to reflect on these observations and share any additional thoughts you have.”
  4. Summary phase
    1. You (the facilitator) should summarize some of the comments that were given in the previous two phases. Example: “I noticed that Beena took charge and identified that the zoo animals were trapped. And I noticed that Peet has experience with bicycle repair and that really seemed to come through when the building turned inside out.”
    2. Follow up by discussing the entire experience, using the discussion questions below, if you see fit.
    3. Discussion question: “What are the main points you want to take away from this game?”
    4. Discussion question: “How does this tie in to your real life work and interactions?”