Simulations

Dr. Anamary Tarifa, a chemistry professor and fellow ID, reached out to Constanza Saltoff and me to create an immersive learning experience for her online Forensic Chemisry class. Together, we created an "Escape Room" activity that allows fully online students to apply their knowledge and simulate what it's like to work in a real-world chemistry lab, following procedures and using equipment that they learned about in the course. Students responded positively to the activity's depth and novelty, and provided excellent constructive feedback that we're using to improve the simulation for version 2.0.

After the success of Dr. Tarifa's Escape the Lab activity, I began working with another chemistry professor on an activity for his CHS2500 class. The lab activity that assesses students' knowledge of firearm analysis was due for an upgrade, so we've been collaborating on a remaster of his existing Adobe Flash simulation. The new in-development Firearms Lab will feature updated graphics, revamped activities, and will be compatible with modern-day browsers.

In addition to bespoke content curated for specific courses, I am developing a subject-agnostic roguelike activity that any instructor can use, regardless of subject. Similar to popular platformer games, learners control a bird who jumps over objects. In between rounds, learners can take a quiz to earn upgrades for their bird like more health, extra jumps, and score bonuses. The better you do on the quiz, the more upgrade options you have. 

This early prototype is geared towards entry-level courses whose learners benefit from frequent quizzes and low-stakes knowledge checks.