A criminal trial simulation: pathway to transformative learning.

Simulation is gaining popularity as an instructional method in education. The authors describe the simulation of a criminal trial stemming from a medication error. The simulation took place as a collaborative effort between undergraduate and graduate faculty teaching an issues and trends course. Bradshaw's model of transformative learning was used to design the simulation. Graduate students role played the individuals involved in the trial, and the undergraduate students acted as jurors. The curriculum design, the preparation, and the debriefing process are discussed. Lessons learned and suggestions for future simulated learning experiences are provided.