Unit Outline
CNA544
Simulation in Health Teaching
Semester 1, 2025
Vicki Ibbotson
School of Nursing
College of Health and Medicine
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Unit Coordinator
Vicki Ibbotson
Email: Vicki.Ibbotson@utas.edu.au
 

What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
You will explore the theoretical foundations and practical applications of simulation-based education in healthcare settings. You will focus on designing, implementing and evaluating simulations that enhance practice and promote patient safety. You will develop the skills to create engaging simulations using diverse modalities that align with standards of best practice in simulation. Emphasis is placed on simulation standards that promote best practice with the aim to ensure simulations contribute meaningfully to the development of critical thinking, reflective practice and professional competencies.
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1
Operationalise standards of best practice, frameworks and evidence-informed practices to ensure quality, ethical integrity and effectiveness in healthcare simulation design, delivery and evaluation.
2
Design simulations to enhance practice in specialised healthcare settings.
3
Evaluate simulation designs to ensure alignment with best practices, safety and current standards in simulation.
4
Optimise simulation design and debriefing techniques using self reflection.
5
Communicate simulation-based insights and specialist knowledge to healthcare professionals.
Alterations as a result of student feedback
The unit was reviewed, and unit content and assessment tasks were redeveloped in response to student feedback and external reviewers.
 
 

Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
Online
Individual Study
Individual self-directed learning - 10 hours per week.
10
StudyPeriod 13 times
Online Class
Online webinar
0.50
StudyPeriod 12 times
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
 
 
 

How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
Preparation for simulation design
Week 5
30 %
LO1, LO2, LO5
Assessment Task 2:
Simulation design and peer evaluation
Week 9
40 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:
Interactive oral assessment on debriefing in simulated learning.
Week 13
30 %
LO1, LO3, LO4, LO5
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: Preparation for simulation design
Task Description:
In this task, you will engage in the initial preparation phase for designing a healthcare simulation. This involves conducting a thorough needs analysis to identify the specific simulation topic. You will need to evaluate the resources necessary to support the simulation and identify ethical considerations to ensure participant safety, inclusivity and confidentiality. You will identify potential challenges that may arise during the development and implementation of the simulation. The goal is to create a well-informed foundation that will guide the design and execution of an effective, ethical and resource-efficient simulation.
Task Length:
1200 words
Due Date:
Week 5
Weight:
30 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Conduct a needs analysis to identify and prioritise learner and educator requirements.
LO2
2
Engage with other healthcare professionals and the education setting to justify the selected topic and simulation.
LO5
3
Incorporate relevant standards, frameworks and evidence-informed practices into the simulation design.
LO1
4
Justify the selection of the modality that aligns with the simulation design and available resources.
LO2
5
Analyse logistical, pedagogical and contextual challenges that may impact the development and implementation of the simulation.
LO1
 
Assessment Task 2: Simulation design and peer evaluation
Task Description:
In this task, you will create a comprehensive simulation design tailored to meet the identified educational needs of participants. Your design will integrate strategies to promote learner engagement and adaptability to ensure that the simulation effectively achieves the intended learning objectives. You will apply relevant standards, frameworks and evidence-informed practices to ensure the quality, ethical integrity and effectiveness of the simulation. Additionally, you will evaluate your peers' simulation designs, providing constructive feedback to enhance alignment with best practices.
Task Length:
1600 words
Due Date:
Week 9
Weight:
40 %
 

 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Align simulation design with participant needs, resources and intended learning outcomes.
LO2
2
Incorporate relevant standards, frameworks, and evidence-informed practices into the simulation design.
LO1
3
Develop learner engagement, flexibility and planning prompts within the simulation to achieve learning outcomes.
LO2
4
Evaluate peer simulation designs for alignment with best practices and effectiveness in achieving intended learning outcomes.
LO3
5
Reflect on the feedback received from a peer to enhance the simulation design and the learning experience of participants.
LO4
 
Assessment Task 3: Interactive oral assessment on debriefing in simulated learning.
Task Description:
In this task, you will participate in a virtual interactive oral assessment focused on the debriefing component of your simulation. After having trailed your simulation design, you will discuss the application of effective debriefing techniques, including how these techniques contributed to creating a safe and constructive learning environment. During the assessment, you will also evaluate the overall effectiveness of the debrief, reflecting on what went well, what could be improved, and how the debrief contributed to the learning outcomes of the simulation. Additionally, you will assess how the debrief process aligns with best practices and how feedback from participants was integrated into the process.
Task Length:
5-10 min (1200 word equivalent)
Due Date:
Week 13
Weight:
30 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Apply debriefing techniques to foster a safe and constructive learning environment.
LO1
2
Articulate the debriefing process to engage healthcare professionals in a discussion.
LO5
3
Critique the debriefing process for alignment with best practices.
LO3
4
Reflect on the effectiveness of the debrief in enhancing the learning experience.
LO4
 
 
 

How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes and achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater.
Academic progress review
The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see
Important Guidelines & Support.
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
 

Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.
 
 
 

Required Resources
Required reading materials
Required Readings will be provided by your Unit Coordinator.
 
Recommended reading materials
Recommended Readings will be provided via the Reading List link in MyLO, or the unit Reading List on the University Library website.
 
Other required resources