Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is the UK’s leading heart and lung hospital. Their cardiothoracic services are internationally recognised as achieving some of the best outcomes in the world. With an outstanding reputation for innovation and leading-edge research, Royal Papworth has also developed successful training and professional development programmes of cardiothoracic courses for medical professionals. Their world-leading track record in clinical excellence attracts students from all around the world to study at Royal Papworth Hospital.

The trust engaged us with a brief to design a comprehensive series of eLearning modules that would allow them to support their world-class training through online and other digital methods. The organisation had begun to convert training into eLearning, and with the onset of Covid, the programme was rapidly accelerated. We presented a range of immersive learning techniques using the latest technologies in WebGL to create avatar driven spaces and learning environments. The aim was to support the delivery of various learning modules across a number of clinical specialities.

In addition to creating a number of demonstrations and proof of concepts, we also provided a bespoke integrated agile learning platform, with a plan to expand this into a fully-featured online learning environment.

Our solution was to provide learning modules using a mix of technologies to support a blended approach to learning. Contained within the overall learning package of videos and eLearning, were 3Dvirtual learning environments, where each learner is represented by an online avatar specifically chosen by them. Once the learner has selected their avatar they enter the learning environment and proceed through a number of self-guided learning objectives, from treasure hunting to fact-finding of information.

All activities are linked to a built-in awards system that provides gamification and enables the learners to accumulate trophies and points. The objective of this is to engage the learners to actively participate in each learning objective, as opposed to passively observing. We use a production process and suite of software tools similar to those employed in high-end game production, in particular, whilst planning scenarios we utilise specific tools for writing and testing nonlinear dialogue and events for situations where complex problems and critical thinking are the norm.