To boost learning impact, a well-designed educational setup is important, as research by Tess Dekker, staff advisor for Active Blended Learning & Innovation at AUMC, shows. A muscle or bone looks entirely different in 3D than on a flat screen or in a book, especially when students can hold it virtually and view it from all angles. VR brings anatomy to life with a headset, enriching education through its 3D environment. Research at VU Amsterdam shows VR workshops have a positive effect on learning outcomes and student engagement. Here are three concrete tips on how to optimize its use in your teaching.
Tip 1: provide clear tasks for students
When using VR in education, it’s important to give students clear instructions and guidance. Ensure they know exactly what you expect of them. Providing a clear assignment helps prevent them from getting lost in the endless possibilities of the virtual environment. A structured task helps them focus on learning goals. For example, in an anatomy class, assign each student a muscle to study and describe in VR. Another student can then deduce that muscle’s function based on that information.
Tip 2: enhance engagement with active assignments
Dekker's research indicates VR workshops show a slight positive trend in learning impact. The main takeaway from thematic analysis being VR’s enhancement of student engagement, particularly in behaviour and emotions. Students actively engage with material, contribute to lessons, and find the experience enjoyable. Consider the example of practicing a second language in a VR environment with students from other countries, as studied at Utrecht University. Typically, students practice with peers and instructors in the university setting. But with VR, they feel immersed in a more realistic social environment, where they engage in conversations about themselves, each other’s cultures, stereotypes, interaction styles, and identity, depending on course goals and levels.
Tip 3: encourage communication, collaboration and formative discussion
Clear communication among students is a key goal in using VR to support learning. For example, anatomy students using VR to practice identifying and discussing anatomical structures must communicate clearly using correct terminology. One student wears the VR headset while others cannot see the view. This setup requires the student in VR to communicate their experience clearly so others can draw what they imagine based on the description. This fosters formative discussion and allows them to reflect on their knowledge together. As an instructor, you can facilitate this through task design and guidance during class.
Tip 4: offer the content in multiple formats
Keep in mind that experiences with VR can vary widely among students. Some find it exciting and innovative, while others might experience “cybersickness” or sensory overwhelm. Some students may feel seasick using a VR headset or can only use it briefly. If possible, offer the content in multiple formats. VR images can often be viewed on a flat screen as well, though the immersive experience which can enrich the learning process may be lost.