Setting Simulation Difficulty
You can set the difficulty level when creating or editing a simulation. This setting impacts the AI's behaviour and the overall challenge of the simulation.
a. Creating a New Simulation:
Log in to your Solidroad Admin account.
2. Click the Library tab, then head to the Simulations tab and hit 'Simulation' to start filling out the simulation type, learners, AI persona, focus area of the simulation.
3. On the simulation page, you will find the ‘Difficulty’ dropdown menu. Select the desired difficulty from the dropdown menu: Easy, Medium, or Hard.
4. Once you have completed all the details necessary for the simulation, click ‘Save’ on the preview page to save your created simulation.
2. Editing an Existing Simulation:
Go to the Library tab and head to the Simulations tab.
2. Select the simulation you wish to edit and click the pencil icon on the pop-up window.
3. Navigate to the ‘Simulation type’ page.
4. Change the difficulty level using the dropdown menu.
5. Save your changes.
3. How Difficulty Affects the Simulation
The difficulty setting directly influences the AI's demeanour and their willingness to engage with the participant of the interaction. Each level presents a different challenge:
Easy: The AI will be friendly and cooperative
Medium: The AI will be neutral and cooperative
Hard: The AI will be difficult and uncooperative
Difficulty is one input you use to affect how difficult a simulation will be. In the next section we will explore how you can better fine tune a simulation to suit your learners.
4. Tuning Simulation Difficulty (Advanced)
While the Easy, Medium, and Hard presets provide a good starting point, you can further fine-tune the difficulty by carefully configuring the following elements:
Scenario Descriptions: Scenario descriptions define how the conversation will flow. You can create more detailed and complex scenarios with multiple objectives, unexpected turns, or limited information to increase the challenge. You can do this during creation or editing on the Preview tab through the description and learner instructions. Scenario descriptions define the interaction type.
AI Persona Descriptions: AI persona descriptions define the AI's behaviour and personality. A demanding, uncooperative, or easily frustrated persona will make the simulation more challenging, even if the scenario and scorecard are relatively simple. Use a premade persona or create them on the fly. AI descriptions define the persona’s backstory and behaviour.
Scorecards: Scorecards are the source of truth for determining learner scores and pass/fail status. A stricter scorecard (e.g., higher standards for "pass," more heavily weighted negative criteria) effectively increases the difficulty, regardless of the chosen difficulty level. Refer to the "How to Create a Scorecard" manual for detailed instructions. Scorecards define what constitutes success.
By strategically combining these elements, you can create highly customised simulations. For example, an "Easy" difficulty with a complex scenario and a demanding persona could focus on communication skills in a high-pressure situation. In contrast, a "Hard" difficulty with a straightforward scenario and forgiving persona might focus on technical proficiency.
Related Articles:
Explore these helpful guides for step-by-step instructions and best practices. Click the links below to learn more!
If you have any further questions or need assistance, please refer to our support resources or contact the Solidroad team via the 'Get Help' tab within the platform.
User manual definition of terms:
Simulation Difficulty – The level of challenge in a simulation that affects AI behaviour and interaction complexity.
Scorecard – A set of criteria for evaluating learner performance and determining pass/fail status.
Scenario Description – The outline of the conversation flow, defining objectives and complexity.
AI Persona – The virtual character in the simulation influences tone, attitude, and response style.
Easy Mode – A beginner-friendly setting with more guidance and positive reinforcement.
Medium Mode – A balanced challenge requiring a deeper understanding of concepts.
Hard Mode – The most demanding setting, requiring advanced skills and decision-making.