Fast Cheap and Easy: Using Second Life for Simulating Safety Critical Operations in the Undergraduate Curriculum E. Andrew Kapp PhD, CSP, CHMM, REM Department of Occupational and Environmental Safety & Health University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Introduction Simulation software is NOT fast, cheap or easy to use But simulations provide powerful teaching tools Can simulations of safety critical operations be effectively done with Second Life ?
About Second Life User created, interactive, 3-D,web based virtual world Participants interact with each other and the environment their virtual “selves” known as Avatars The primary use of Second Life is social, and the types of interactions run the gamut from the educational to the lurid
About the Simulation Task: Enter recently emptied above ground petroleum storage tank to retrieve a defective sensor. Potential Hazards: Lack of oxygen, H2S, Flammable atmosphere Tools: Hard hat, lighting, personal 4 gas detector, forced air ventilation, Permit Space permit No ability to flush or purge the tank Assistance: Attendant measures pre-entry conditions in space, monitors entrant and can call for rescue if necessary Supervisor authorizes/cancels entry via permit signature
The Simulation Learning Objective: Using an entry permit students will be able to identify hazards of a permit space and implement the appropriate protective measures to conduct a safe entry The Simulation
Results: Attempts 22 Students Range: Mean: 6.6 Std. Dev: 4.8
Results: Permit Score 22 Students completed Range: Mean: 2.9 Std. Dev: 1.4
Results: Student Feedback on Quality of the Learning
Results: Student Feedback In what ways did this simulation help you understand the importance and methods of evaluating the hazards associated with Permit Required Confined Spaces? It helped me to realize that even if a space seems safe, it can quickly become dangerous. Help me understand what equipments needs to be used and the process that goes through with entering a permit required space.
Results: Student Feedback In what ways did this simulation help you understand the importance and methods of evaluating the hazards associated with Permit Required Confined Spaces? It didn't. It had no real life applicable parts. "go in and grab a sensor before it blows up", horrible scenario. I didn't get anything out of it besides frustration and wanting to never use it again. it didn’t
Conclusion But did they learn anything? They think so… most of them, for the most part I remain unsure
Conclusion Did I learn anything? Unavoidability of the logic system Must integrate practice with Second Life into class prior to any graded exercise Will I continue with this simulation and/or other uses of Second Life Yes, as long as I have the technical assistance available