Using event templates to accellerate scenario development in virtual training environments

Virtual environments (VEs) are used extensively for training systems because they provide interactive experiences and visualization not possible in traditional passive training approaches. Most virtual environments utilize some form of scenario authoring which involves runtime elements and/or scripts that ensure the trainee encounters repeatable, well-orchestrated and precisely choreographed situations to meet specific training goals. Development of such scenarios often poses challenges which are rooted in the difficulty of conveying all the details associated with an intended interaction from the subject matter experts (SMEs) to the technical staff. One possible solution is to create parametrized modules that can be tested in isolation and then re-used in multiple situations, reducing development and testing time. This paper discusses the use of event-templates, an approach which allows re-using patterns in scenario descriptions and the associated parameters. Once identified, selection of such templates can be used in lieu of low-level authoring.