[Development of a learning game for ophthalmic technicians: "Orthoptist Simulator"]

Abstract

Introduction: E-learning is a pedagogic approach that relies on the use of electronic media and devices as tools to improve access to training, communication and interaction, facilitating the adoption of knowledge, skills and/or behaviors. Learning games offer a learning and training environment using entertaining elements from video games in a real-life scenario. The objective of this work is the conception of a learning game for training ophthalmic technician students.

Methods: Design of a learning game, in collaboration with iLumens and the Dowino® corporation, allowing the performance of an orthoptic evaluation in a child without ocular pathology.

Results: We developed the "Orthoptist Simulator" a learning game that faithfully reproduces an orthoptic box with necessary tools to carry out an orthoptic evaluation with ocular motility examination. The game offers learning, training and self-evaluation modes. It allows the student to evaluate a young patient, take a history and perform the 17 most frequently used orthoptic tests. The student thus creates a report of the results of these tests to be transmitted to the ophthalmologist who requested the workup.

Conclusions: To our knowledge, we have set up the first learning game for the training of future ophthalmic technicians, which is an innovative educational tool and complementary to traditional training. This game could also be used to train ophthalmology residents in ocular motility examination. This new instrument will require future evaluation to determine its real impact on training.

Keywords: E-learning; Jeu sérieux; Learning game; Ocular motility; Oculo-motricité; Ophthalmic technician; Orthoptics; Orthoptie; Orthoptiste.