An orange will do: Suspending learner disbelief in simulations

Increasingly, educators are implementing simulation to supplement teaching. Where simulation is not already integral, difficulties have arisen with the utilization of simulation due to limited resources, training requirements, and educator uncertainty.

A learner's ability to suspend disbelief in a simulation can impact the effectiveness of learning. In other words, they become so immersed in the simulation that they ignore obvious limitations and choose to believe the activity is realistic. When designing simulations, educators need to consider intended learning outcomes (ILOs), realism, and briefings/debriefings to help learners suspend disbelief. Realism encompasses physical realism (fidelity), conceptual realism, and emotional/experiential realism. The ILOs should drive the simulation design and type of realism required. These should be presented to learners in a briefing, explaining where and why they may need to suspend disbelief; this should be reiterated during a debriefing to centre a learner's focus on whether the ILOs were met. Without this, learners may not "buy into" the simulation and instead can get lost in detail not relevant to their learning.

The use of cutting-edge equipment does not, on its own, ensure that learners get the most realistic learning experience. The goal of simulations should be to utilize resources in the most advantageous manner for attainment of ILOs. In a time when institutions may be pressured for time, staff, and resources, educators should remember that it is possible to facilitate effective learning in low-resource ways.