Textbooks Beaten by Games and Phones in the Battle for Attention

NEWCASTLE, England, July 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

An NHS mechanical hoist is one of the first pieces of medical machinery to have its traditional training manual converted into an immersive 3D smartphone training App. The change is part of an effort to improve the performance levels of staff by creating more engaging, mobile training games instead of textbooks.

A mechanical hoist widely used throughout the NHS to help lift disabled children onto their beds is the latest piece of medical machinery to undergo a major training operation. Great Ormond Street Hospital Online Learning & Development (GOLD) commissioned award-winning serious game developer, Caspian Learning, to help with the innovative project.

GOLD's aim was to create a more engaging type of hoist operation training that could potentially replace existing textbook training. The new project has seen Caspian Learning successfully convert the contents of a Mechanical Hoist Operation Manual into an interactive 3D computer simulation.

The simulation in its new form can be played anywhere in the world via the internet or downloaded as an app for smartphones. A free demo of the mechanical hoist safety simulation is available to download from the Google Play Marketplace.

Major benefits of the conversion include cost-saving without reduction in output, wider distribution possibilities and improved learner engagement.

Lee Rushworth, a Caspian Learning spokesperson said that "converting a textbook into an interactive, immersive 3D simulation that could be an app for an iPhone or Android device like GOLD have done here opens up so many new possibilities for us. For example, with this app, GOLD could potentially train an entire course remotely, saving an enormous amount of money on logistics in the process."

"If this could be achieved with a mechanical safety hoist, imagine what else could benefit from this kind of 'immersion conversion?'"

Caspian Learning developed the entire simulation in their Thinking Worlds software, which is available to download for free here.

About Caspian Learning

Caspian Learning are a multi award-winning serious games technology and design company. Formed in 2002, they are the developer of the acclaimed Thinking Worlds, whose globally unique technology allows instructional designers to create fully immersive 3D sims & games at costs previously restricted to 2D development.  They are the global leader in the use of 3D games and simulations technology for performance improvement, having developed over 100 sims or games for clients all over the world including IBM, BBC, QinetiQ, Accenture, Volvo, the Ministry of Defence and the European Union among others.

Contact Details:
Lee Rushworth
Caspian Learning
Tel: +44(0)191-5561043
Email: lee.rushworth@caspianlearning.co.uk