Developing interactive computer-based simulations: an object-oriented development methodology enhances computer-assisted instruction

The purpose of this research was to investigate the application of object-oriented technology and AI techniques to enhance development of computer-based training simulations. Towards that end, a comprehensive computer-assisted instructional unit was developed to teach the skills and concepts of window-based applications, the OS/2 desktop, and the use of a patient care information system. By taking advantage of sophisticated computer graphics for the visual representation of objects and the behavioral modeling capabilities of the object-oriented language, domain knowledge modeling and human-computer interactions were implemented without complex natural language processing techniques. The results of this research indicate that nurses and physicians are able to learn the basic skills and concepts of computer systems and how to query for patient information. The new methodology described for building these computer-assisted instructional simulations significantly eased the training and teaching of large numbers of nurses and physicians and simplified their transition to a complex, computer-based hospital information system environment.