Project Information
Overview
During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical students faced unprecedented challenges in practicing their clinical skills. As the leading developer, I helped create an innovative virtual environment that simulated Integrated Structured Clinical Examinations (ISCEs), enabling remote practice while maintaining educational quality and assessment validity.
Key Stakeholders and Roles
| Name | Role/Title | Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Elizabeth Metcalf (Liz) | Director of Assessments and Lead for Clinical Assessments | Project oversight, content review, and ISCE booklet updates |
| Sue Ensaff | Key Content Provider | Station instructions, coordination, and content-related matters |
| Allan Theophanides | Learning Technology Manager | Project management oversight |
| Clinical Skills Team (Jayne, Owen) | Clinical Skills Team | Skills Panopto videos, clinical resources, and materials |
Key Information
- 12 total stations (6 for Year 2, 6 for Year 4)
- Each station combines 360° Virtual Stations with Xerte learning objects
- Stations numbered B1 to B6
- Includes existing ISCE content adapted for virtual format
Project Timeline
- April 8, 2020: Initial deadline set for April 20th
- April 14-23, 2020: Initial development and content gathering
- April 30, 2020: First stations (Year 2 and 4) developed for review
- May 13, 2020: Plan to complete all stations by end of May
- June 4, 2020: Deployment to Learning Central
- July 2020: Preparation for new academic year implementation
Key Achievements
- Successfully developed virtual ISCEs for Year 2 and Year 4 medical students
- Engaged 400+ students across multiple year groups
- Generated 1,300+ views across examination stations
- Recorded 10,000+ student interactions
- Received positive student and staff feedback
- Created enhanced Year 4 stations following successful launch
Technical Implementation
Technologies Used
- Yi 360 camera for panoramic image capture
- Marzipano app for virtual tour development
- Xerte for learning object creation
- Custom JavaScript for enhanced interactivity
- HTML/CSS for interface design
- Learning Central (VLE) for deployment
My Role & Responsibilities
As the leading developer, I was responsible for:
-
Virtual Environment Creation
- Developed 360-degree virtual tours using Yi 360 camera
- Implemented Marzipano for tour functionality
- Created immersive learning environments
-
Learning Content Development
- Designed and developed half of all learning activities using Xerte
- Created interactive elements for student engagement
- Integrated assessment components
-
Technical Implementation
- Implemented custom JavaScript functions for question flow control
- Designed popup overlays within virtual tours
- Integrated navigation controls
- Ensured accessibility compliance
-
Project Coordination
- Collaborated with clinical skills teams
- Coordinated with assessment teams
- Managed stakeholder requirements
Impact & Feedback
The project received positive feedback from students, with one noting:
“I have just started the Virtual ISCE online learning, and wanted to email to say that I think this is a fantastic resource. Very useful to see examples of good consultations and full ISCE stations, it helped me straighten the structure in my mind and gives a good practice.”
Skills Developed
- Advanced virtual reality implementation
- Educational technology integration
- Cross-departmental project coordination
- User experience design
- Accessibility optimisation
- Clinical skills assessment design
Challenges & Solutions
Challenges Faced
- Coordinating multiple stakeholders
- Balancing technical capabilities with educational requirements
- Ensuring accessibility while maintaining immersion
Solutions Implemented
- Established clear communication channels
- Adopted iterative development approach
- Implemented regular feedback cycles
- Created accessible alternatives for all content
Future Development
Plans for enhancement include:
- Integration of advanced feedback mechanisms
- Expansion of clinical scenarios
- Implementation of more interactive elements
- Development of sophisticated progress tracking
Project links & Resources
Project Presentation
View the full presentation: 360 Virtual ISCEs on Slides.com
Feel free to contact me to learn more about this project or discuss potential collaborations.