Utilizing Case Scenarios in a Virtual Learning Environment to Assess and Refine Critical Thinking in Graduate Nursing Education Students

Introduction: Developing critical thinking skills in learners is essential across all disciplines. Effective methods to teach critical thinking and evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching method are vital.  Integrating multimedia into educational platforms has become common place. As learners present with a high degree of media literacy, educators can take this advantage and create virtual reality learning environments well suited to teaching critical thinking. Educators can utilize the malleable environment of virtual worlds to customize learning experiences more expansively than in a traditional classroom. Experiences play a vital role in learning, especially in areas which are context specific.  Practiced decision making in a virtual world allows for reflection and discussion to enhance the learners experiences which can transfer to actual practice environments. Experiences can be designed with targeted activities which provide objective-based interactions. Depending on the design of the virtual world experience, learners can develop critical thinking skills, presentation skills, and business development skills.

Method: Case scenarios were developed for the virtual learning environment to evaluate and refine critical thinking skills. Objects and outcomes in addition to the case scenarios were provided to the students prior to the simulation.

Results: Evaluation of learning can come from learner feedback provided before and after the experiences in the virtual environment. Evaluation of virtual world educational experiences should include debriefing where learners can discuss the activity and opportunities to improve outcomes. Educators are able to evaluate if goals and objectives for the activity were met and revise further experiences based on learner feedback.

Discussion: Virtual learning environments allow students to participate in scenarios which may not otherwise be available, and allows learning in a non-punitive safe environment where practice and critical thinking skills can be honed.  This allows faculty to explore implementation of critical thinking content in a virtual environment. Additionally faculty will discover methods to evaluate and refine virtual world experiences to maximize the benefits of the experience. Lastly, resources will be provided for the participants to learn more about the possibilities of education in a virtual world.