The potential of a simulated workplace environment for emergency remote teaching

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and the South African government's response of a lockdown required the cessation of all clinical training. Virtual environments offered alternative methods of teaching and learning clinical skills in an attempt to mitigate the cancellation of first year students' clinical visits. The research question of how a simulated workplace environment could replace first year students' workplace visits was addressed. A case study at a University of Technology focusing on a radiation therapy program provided an opportunity for academic and clinical lecturers and first year students to consider the qualities of the Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training. Findings indicated that the environment could be incorporated into emergency remote teaching to enhance student learning as it provided an engaging, safe, and effective space in which to learn clinical skills. These findings have implications for the design of responsive curricula for the changing higher education and professional landscapes.