Tuesday 23 December 2014

Virtual Reality is a medium not a gadget: 7 learning principles that work in VR.

Some thoughts on the use of virtual reality in learning from Donald Clark.

http://donaldclarkplanb.blogspot.com/2014/12/vr-is-medium-not-gadget-7-learning.html

Virtual reality he explains provides attention (total focus), intense emotion, learning by doing, context, transfer of matched tasks, cognitive swap (seeing ourselves as others see us), and improved retention.

"Learning theory backs up VR as a learning medium ... The business model is the same as that of games, with cheap devices and low cost games, sold at volume."

Medicine certainly benefits from learning that has realism. Simulation of resuscitation, anaesthetic emergencies, and trauma all also benefit from the role playing of the team members.

We have exciting opportunities for learning cognitive skills (knowledge, analysis, creativity), physical skills (surgery, cannulation, etc.), and perceptive skills (seeing, hearing, feeling). Virtual reality is one tool that can help.

"Virtual reality simulators provide basic skills training without supervision in a controlled environment, free of pressure of operating on patients ... future research efforts should focus on the effect of virtual reality simulation on performance in the context of advanced surgical procedure, on standardization of training, on the possibility of synergistic effect of virtual reality simulation training combined with mental training, on personalized training" (1)

Virtual reality training demonstrates transfer validity (transfer of training) "residents trained to proficiency on a high-fidelity realistic virtual-reality arthroscopic knee simulator showed a greater skill level in the operating room compared with the control group." (2)


1 Yiannakopoulou E, Nikiteas N, Perrea D, et al. Virtual reality simulators and training in laparoscopic surgery. Int J Surg 2014;13C:60–4. doi:10.1016/j.ijsu.2014.11.014

2 Cannon WD, Garrett WE, Hunter RE, et al. Improving Residency Training in Arthroscopic Knee Surgery with Use of a Virtual-Reality Simulator: A Randomized Blinded Study. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2014;96:1798–806. doi:10.2106/JBJS.N.00058

1 comment:

  1. Virtual Reality is sometimes used to treat a variety of disorders. In the future, VR applications may be affordable for wider use in education. VR and computer/video game technologies are converging- expect amazing applications within the next 3-5 years for health, education, training, and more.

    Virtual Reality Disney

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