By: Cat Pastoor
College of DuPage Sonography students recently had the opportunity to test their skills using a new, gameified training tool in development called “Underwater,” a simulator where students use an ultrasound probe to navigate an underwater world.
Developed by Sfinx Games, players are challenged to find and collect coins hidden in various environments and structures using several, sometimes combined, maneuvers that resemble real-life probe movements, such as tilting, rocking and sliding,
As students maneuver the probe to explore the underwater area, they must be careful not to press too hard or angle the probe too sharply, as it may blur and discolor the image on screen. Coins may be hidden in tricky locations that require careful, steady tilting of the probe.
“One thing it definitely helped me with is my hand-eye coordination,” said Sonography student Kenneth Frimpong. “It helps you build your muscle memory, especially with maintaining your wrist posture to where you’re not curling your wrist too much. The game also helped with the different transducer movements, with the rocking, angling motions and sweeps as well.”
“Underwater” is still undergoing market validation, but once released, could be an accessible resource that will allow programs to save time on other teaching methods that may be more costly.
“We’d like to give special thanks to game developer Robert Mertens, co-founder of Sfinx Games, who allowed us to borrow research and development game models,” said Sonography Professor Melissa McKirdie.
COD Stories
“The ultrasound program is very competitive and very intense. Study and practice as much as you can and do not be afraid to ask questions, especially of your clinical instructors." - Christine White
Christine's COD StoryDiagnostic Medical Imaging
The curriculum of the COD Diagnostic Medical Imaging programs prepares students to become job ready as a technologist in either radiography, sonography, nuclear medicine, or radiation therapy.