USIP OSP Conference 2010

The First OSP Conference (OSPCON 1)

Skip Cole, Annie Davies, and Jeff Krentel of the Academy, in partnership with Aspiration, Partners for Democratic Change, and Positive Relating, held the inaugural OSPCON1 simulation authoring event September 24-26, 2010.  The purpose of the event was to help move written USIP simulation materials into the Open Simulation Platform (OSP) to be used more broadly in Academy courses and to build and enhance the community of OSP users. Additionally, the event provided useful feedback for the technical component of the platform, which will greatly improve the technology’s usability. The nineteen participants represented members of both the academic and practitioner communities. 

Event Highlights

Participants provide overwhelmingly positive feedback on both the event and the OSP. People encouraged the OSP team to continue expanding the use of the OSP in learning environments. 

• Simulation Authoring Tutorial:  Participants worked through the OSP tutorial on simulation authoring, which focused on instructor-based process for creating experiential learning simulations. The tutorial, which is in a ‘beta’ stage, was found to be useful, but needed additional work. The participants provided constructive insights and feedback into how the team can improve upon the current tutorial.
• The ‘Prisoner’s Dilemna’ simulation was entered into the platform and tested over the course of the event by Tarek Maasarani of Positive Relating. Play-testing revealed a few issues but they were quickly fixed.
• Simulation Work:  Twelve of the USIP simulations/case studies were developed in the OSP during the event. The team used an iterative process to help guide the participants as they learned to use the platform using a phased approach.  Participants began with a framework, which represented the architecture of the OSP.  This allowed the participants to gain familiarity with the structure before utilizing the platform.
• At the conclusion of the event, most of the twelve simulations were entered into the OSP. Participants noted that they hope to continue working to develop these simulations for prime-time.

Next Step

• Finishing Our Work:  The group discussed taking the sims we worked on and testing them over the Internet. Dates for testing will be set up using in the near future. 
• Preparing the Simulations for wider distribution:  Some of the historical simulations that were developed depart from reality in significant ways. This was done for teaching purposes. So far the ideas for how to present these simulations to a broader audience include:

1)      A Disclaimer to be put on the front of each simulation that it is for teaching purposes and may not reflect historical realities.

2)      A list of significant changes to be provided with each simulation to prevent students from learning falsehoods. 

• The Need for a Guide:  At several points during the conference we identified the need for a guide that discusses how and when to use these kinds of simulations in the classroom.

1) The manual for a good simulation should highlight that 2 kinds of expertise are needed, subject material and facilitation.

2) The manual should highlight what can and can not be done online.