SimSimple Top Tips - Why Every Participant Needs a Pen

Sometimes, the simplest tools make the biggest difference.

When using Visually Enhanced Mental Simulation (VEMS), one of the easiest ways to boost engagement and immersion is to hand each participant a pen. That's why we include them in each SimSimple BaseKit.

It might sound trivial—but it’s not.

At the start of a SimSimple session, we encourage facilitators to give every team member a marker and ask them to write something small on the laminated pieces: a medication name, a cannula size, an infusion rate, or even a label for equipment.

That simple act changes everything.

🖊️ Why it works:

• Rapid engagement: Writing immediately shifts participants from observers to active contributors.

• Comfort with the materials: Using the kit becomes intuitive early on, breaking down any hesitation.

• Shared ownership: Everyone feels part of the process, invested in what unfolds.

• Team rhythm: It sets the tone for collaboration, communication, and hands-on thinking.

This technique helps participants quickly “enter” the scenario and interact with the visual elements as if they were real. It transforms laminated paper into meaningful tools for teamwork, clinical reasoning, and shared decision-making.

In our latest video "Pre-Brief: Setting the Team Up for Success" we walk through this approach and show how something as small as a pen can make a big difference in simulation quality. We also highlight other tips to get the most out of your pre-brief! 

So next time you run a VEMS session—before you start the scenario or cue the monitor—hand everyone a pen. You’ll be amazed at how quickly the room comes to life. 

To order your SimSimple Basekit (including erasable markers!) click here.