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Center for Innovation in Education Excellence Courses
The Center for Innovation in Education Excellence offers synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid courses. Underpinned by theory and evidence, our courses draw on diverse teaching strategies to support the development of competent, compassionate clinicians. The Center offers nine courses spanning artificial intelligence, faculty preparation, and simulation.
Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nursing Education: A Comprehensive Guide for Faculty
As AI reshapes healthcare, nurse educators need practical, confidence-building preparation to integrate AI into teaching and academic work. This comprehensive course builds AI literacy for faculty across programs—from LPN and ADN to DNP and PhD—covering foundational concepts, prompt engineering, and current guidance for responsible and ethical use, including privacy, bias mitigation, and academic integrity. Participants gain hands-on strategies to use AI to develop lesson plans, learning activities, simulation examples, and competency-based assessments aligned with learner outcomes. The course also explores administrative applications such as admissions support, curriculum mapping and improvement, and data-informed approaches to strengthen program outcomes. By the end of the course, educators will be prepared to use AI to enhance efficiency and instructional quality while preparing students for AI-integrated healthcare.
Faculty Intensives: Good Teaching Doesn't Just Happen
This online hybrid course prepares new faculty in the academic nurse educator environment — as well as experienced nurse educators looking to enhance their knowledge and skills — to make a meaningful impact in nursing education.
Simulation Innovation Resource Center (SIRC) Courses
New to simulation? Start your journey with our seven Foundation Courses and develop a strong, evidence-based portfolio in simulation education best practices.
SIRC Foundation Course Bundle
Enroll in all seven Foundation Courses at once and build a comprehensive foundation in simulation pedagogy and practice.
You may also purchase any of the Foundation-level courses individually.
This introductory course is designed to build a solid understanding of the pedagogical principles that underpin simulation-based learning in nursing education. Participants will journey through the history and evolution of simulation, gaining insight into its effectiveness as a teaching strategy in higher education while exploring the key learning theories that shape simulation pedagogy. The course also guides participants through established standards and best practice guidelines, equipping them with the knowledge needed to implement simulation with confidence and purpose. Whether new to simulation or seeking to strengthen your theoretical foundation, this course provides the essential groundwork for becoming an effective simulation educator.
This course delves into the core concepts of simulation modality, fidelity, and realism, providing participants with both the theoretical framework and practical standards needed to design effective simulation experiences. Participants will examine key terminology as defined by the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Practice™ and explore the various types of simulation modalities and typologies available in nursing education. Guided by current best practice standards, the course addresses how fidelity and realism influence the learner experience and the achievement of outcomes. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to thoughtfully apply concepts of modality and fidelity to their own simulation design practice.
This course provides a comprehensive look at how to systematically integrate simulation into nursing curricula in a thoughtful and purposeful way. Participants will explore methods for identifying curricular gaps and conducting needs assessments as foundational steps in the development process, followed by guidance on setting meaningful goals and objectives and selecting appropriate teaching strategies. The course also addresses implementation and evaluation, ensuring participants can follow the curriculum development process from start to finish. By the end of the course, participants will have the tools and frameworks needed to incorporate simulation as an effective and well-aligned teaching strategy across their program.
This course offers an in-depth examination of assessment and evaluation within the context of simulation-based education, covering outcomes at the learner, facilitator, and program levels. Participants will explore the purpose and key concepts of evaluation in simulation, gaining a clear understanding of the methods and tools available for assessing student performance. The course also guides participants through the considerations involved in selecting the most appropriate evaluation tool for a given situation, and provides a framework for constructing comprehensive evaluation plans for both facilitators and programs. By the end of the course, participants will be well-prepared to implement purposeful, standards-aligned evaluation strategies across all dimensions of their simulation practice.
This course provides a thorough exploration of the theoretical, philosophical, and practical elements of prebriefing and debriefing, equipping participants with the skills needed to facilitate meaningful learning experiences in simulation. Participants will learn how to craft effective prebriefs that establish an ideal environment for experiential learning, while also developing the microskills necessary to deliver theory-based debriefing with confidence. Drawing on best practice evidence and standards, the course examines the foundational theories that make debriefing a powerful teaching and learning tool, and guides participants through the general structure and key elements of both the prebrief and debrief. Through an in-depth exploration of the 3C's framework — context, content, and course — participants will build the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to apply a variety of theory-based debriefing methodologies used in simulation practice.
This course uncovers the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities that define an effective simulation facilitator, guiding participants through the multifaceted roles required to deliver successful learning experiences. Participants will explore the distinct subset of facilitator roles — including prebriefer, debriefer, evaluator, and mentor — and examine how each is strategically leveraged across the various phases of the simulation experience. The course takes a before, during, and after approach, helping participants understand how a skilled facilitator prepares thoughtfully in advance, responds purposefully in the moment, and reflects meaningfully following each experience. By the end of the course, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of the facilitator's role and the practical tools needed to plan, implement, and evaluate simulation experiences with competence and intention.
This course builds a foundational understanding of interprofessional simulation-based education, equipping participants with the knowledge and strategies needed to foster effective team development across educational and practice settings. Participants will explore the core definitions and competencies of interprofessional education and examine best practice standards that guide the design, implementation, debriefing, and evaluation of interprofessional experiences. The course also addresses common barriers encountered when developing and delivering these experiences, offering practical strategies for overcoming challenges and achieving success. By the end of the course, participants will be prepared to apply best practices and tailored strategies to develop meaningful interprofessional simulation experiences within their own institutions.
This series provides the essential knowledge and pedagogical principles needed to effectively integrate simulation into nursing education.