Situated learning with co-operative agent simulations in team training

The paper describes pedagogic aspects of the theory, design. analysis techn iques used and implementation experience acquired during the development of a team training simulation system with a virtual reality interface for lea rning from emergencies. In particular we demonstrate: the desirability of t eam training strategies: the value of using training scenarios for construc ting shared mental models with intelligent agents, and the use of a virtual reality interface. We present a tool designed and developed to reify the c ommunication acts of team members that demonstrates support for reflective learning. An evaluation tests the acceptability of the simulation and provi des feedback from an observation study. The paper then shares some of the e mergent questions raised through the project particularly those relating to the management of errors, the fidelity of simulations for training and com munications between agents, and the organisational context of integration. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.