Table 2 Observation notes and memos by domain: engagement

Anxiety

[First case, first five minutes]. “A student expresses that she feels anxious to complete this case: ‘we are being video-recorded, I don’t know what to do about the competency task, it’s difficult, there is time pressure, and there is no professor here.’”

Note-Taking

“Very few students were observed taking notes during VPS.”

Focus

“In the small group room I observed, the students were fully engaged and at one point, even stopped looking at the game [VPS] and sat in a triangle discussing the case.”

Interest

“One colleague observing from the control room said the students were “pimping” each other” [this means challenging each other with questions about the case].”

Humor

“[In reviewing action on monitors from the control room].” There was laughter in several rooms.”

Enthusiasm about score

“Students discuss their score at the end of the case (out of 100 points) 85 %. Not bad!”

Gratitude to professor

“At the end of the case, the students thank the absent professor who wrote the case: ‘Thanks, Dr. C!’”

Wish to continue

“Students asked to stop at 20 min requested more time to do the case.”