Pandemic inspires innovative use of virtual simulation to teach practical skills

As the country went into lockdown in March this year, the University of West London (UWL), like many other universities, had to dramatically rethink the use of simulation teaching. The university rapidly moved to a virtual learning platform to replace the practice hours of first-year students with theory (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2020) and create online skills sessions to prepare students going into practice.

To supplement this new approach, a blended learning pedagogical model was introduced comprising three stages:

The UWL pedagogy seamlessly integrates the use of online learning with technology as a fundamental part of the student experience.

The College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare has developed an anthology of short films, titled The Street, which is bespoke to UWL. Each film presents hypothetical drama-based patient scenarios that enriches simulation teaching. The scenarios follow fictional residents of ‘the street’ through 3 years of their lives, which includes changes in their health conditions and in their socioeconomic circumstances.