Affinity Learning is currently approved for a pilot in College of Medicine Faculty Development.
If you are in the College of Medicine, please contact your College IT Coordinator (log in required).
What is Affinity Learning?
Affinity Learning is an online and AI-enhanced authoring and learning platform for creating interactive, scenario-based learning experiences.
Educators can combine branching decisions, questions, feedback, images, video, audio, and other interactive elements to simulate situations learners may encounter in professional practice. Affinity Learning can be used to:
- create interactive cases and professional practice scenarios;
- provide opportunities for learners to apply knowledge and make decisions in a simulated environment;
- develop branching experiences in which learner decisions lead to different pathways;
- incorporate questions, feedback, scoring, images, video, audio, and 360-degree media into learning scenarios; and
- provide learners with practice before they encounter comparable situations in professional or workplace settings.
Why use Affinity Learning?
Affinity Learning is useful when learners need more than content presentation or knowledge recall. It allows educators to place learners in realistic situations where they must interpret information, make decisions, and see the consequences of their choices.
The platform may be particularly useful for:
- case-based learning;
- clinical and professional decision-making;
- difficult conversations and communication practice;
- procedural or situational preparation;
- using AI-enhanced tools to assist with scenario development
- low-risk practice before an in-person simulation or professional experience; and
- formative activities that provide learners with immediate feedback.
Its branching structure can help educators represent situations in which there is more than one possible action or outcome. The platform also captures learner interactions and can support scoring and identification of knowledge gaps.
Learning Technology Ecosystem (LTE) Principles
Affinity Learning most directly address these LTE goals:
Active and social - Learners actively interpret information, make decisions, and respond to realistic situations. Discussion, debriefing, or collaborative analysis can be added by the instructor before or after the individual scenario.
Designed for reflection and growth - Learners can test their decisions, receive feedback, and reconsider how they might respond in similar situations. Reflection is strengthened when the scenario is paired with a facilitated debrief or follow-up activity.
Best Practices
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DON'T |
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Begin with a clear learning outcome and identify the decisions learners should practice. |
Do not add branching choices simply to make an activity feel interactive. |
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Use realistic situations, evidence, constraints, and consequences that reflect professional practice. |
Do not create unnecessary branches that increase complexity without adding educational value. |
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Provide meaningful feedback that explains why a response is appropriate, incomplete, or potentially harmful. |
Do not rely exclusively on automated feedback when learner reflection, discussion, or professional judgement would benefit from instructor guidance. |
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Keep branches focused so learners can understand the relationship between their decisions and the resulting outcomes. |
Do not use an untested scenario for a consequential or high-stakes activity. |
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Include a debrief, reflection prompt, or follow-up discussion for scenarios involving uncertainty or professional judgment. |
Do not include identifiable personal, patient, student, research, or other restricted information without appropriate authorization. |
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Test the complete scenario from the learner’s perspective before using it. |
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Provide equivalent access to essential information through text, captions, transcripts, or other appropriate formats. |
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Use fictional, de-identified, or appropriately authorized information when developing scenarios. |
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Support for Affinity Learning
Technical Support(Why isn't this working?) College or Department Supported |
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Training Support(How do I learn to use this tool?) College or Department Supported |
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Teaching Support(How do I teach with this tool?) College or Department Supported |
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