Virtual Reality as a Tool for Teaching Employable, Practical Skills in Science-Based Degrees (80275)
Thursday, 11 July 2024 15:45
Session: Poster Session 1
Room: SOAS, Brunei Suite
Presentation Type:Poster Presentation
Virtual Reality (VR) is a teaching resource increasingly being used to teach skills to workers and students alike. We have recently implemented the use of VR to teach cell culture and laboratory skills to post-graduate (PGT) students. The consequences of poor technique are significant, especially for a PGT student with a limited project time. Aseptic technique requires a high-level of training, and failed culture can often result in loss of materials. The use of VR to train the students in such techniques not only helps to reduce waste and costs, but also give the students opportunities to practice these employable techniques more than they can in a conventional laboratory setting. We started using VR technology to improve student confidence, understanding, and competency when learning new techniques. Initial investigations had two groups of students: group-1 used VR to practice aseptic technique before using the ‘real-life’ laboratory-setting; group-2 learnt the practical aseptic technique, then used VR to consolidate the knowledge. The feedback from this pilot study was positive, showing that students with prior VR-experience could expect the next steps without fearing consequences. The next stages will include different PGT programmes and backgrounds. The possibilities that can be achieved with VR in education are endless. By incorporating it as a tool for learning complex techniques, like laboratory procedures, we can successfully empower our students with the confidence to perform the procedures in real life laboratory settings and to obtain employable skills.
Authors:
Ana Da Silva Costa, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
Rachel Masson, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
Susan Lindsay, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
Alisha Aman, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
Lesley Graham, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
About the Presenter(s)
Dr Ana Da Silva Costa is a Lecturer in University of Glasgow.
See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule
Conference Comments & Feedback
Place a comment using your LinkedIn profileShare this Presentation
Comments
Powered by WP LinkPress