The trauma simulations allow students to work together on a case, adding this collaborative dimension to their learning experience. The tasks each student performs are constrained by a selected role. This representation allows Adele to recognize each situation's unique characteristics and react appropriately, with the right hints and rationales for each action the student must take. The simulations are being authored by faculty at the School of Dentistry, with the support of faculty and staff at the Andrus Gerontology Center. The simulation exercises in geriatric dentistry will form the basis of Web-based courseware.
Initial plans are to use the simulations to augment an existing, on-campus course.
Future plans involve the use of the Web-based simulations for Distance Learning. Dental students from all over the world will eventually be able to meet Adele in the setting of a course delivered completely over the Worldwide Web. A gallery or list of pictures taken from the diagnostic-skills development and geriatric dentistry simulations can be accessed here. Authoring Support Adele's simulations will be authored, not by computer scientists, but by university faculty members and other instructors. Support is being provided for defining the course materials and for supplying Adele with the subject matter knowledge she needs in order to provide a rich, fully integrated learning environment.