The different dimensions of widening access to virtual scenarios in the WAVES project
The different dimensions of widening access to virtual scenarios in the WAVES project

Summary/Abstract: Background: Virtual scenarios are e-learning resources that present job-realistic situations, promote taking actions and provide learning via the consequences of decisions made. The WAVES project attempts to widen access to virtual scenarios for educators and learners.Aims: The aim of this paper is to present different facets of simplifying access to virtual scenarios that structure the developments in WAVES.Methods: The developments are driven by user needs and shaped by a technical reference group to follow current trends in information technologies. They also meet the constraints of the legacy code of two exemplary authoring systems (OpenLabyrinth and CASUS) and fit the limits of allocated time resources.Results: The paper characterizes eight tasks that address accessibility, usability and integration challenges related to virtual scenarios. These involve enhancements in such topics as internationalization, responsiveness, streamlining of workflows, just-in-time guidance, support in interaction and reflection, single sign-on security, learning analytics and microservices.Conclusions: The authors describe the features characteristic to scenario-based learning and outline development directions to improve access to virtual scenarios. The examples demonstrated using two authoring tools are intended to influence improvements in similar e-learning systems.

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