Researchers Help Create VR Diversity Training
VR Diversity Training

Researchers Help Create VR Diversity Training

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For an initiative to curate a novel curriculum for diversity, equity, and inclusion training, two faculty members from the College of Education, Heather McClure and Dane Ramshaw have collaborated with a virtual reality training development company, Shift Bias.

“The course is augmented with an immersive, lifelike virtual reality experience that guides the learner to discover disparities and inequities in action and to develop the motivation to change behaviors and, thus, outcomes,” McClure stated.

The program begins with an online assessment to establish a knowledge baseline to begin with. Upon the completion of the assessment, the participants can get started on the eight-week-long course curriculum. The program comprises 15-minute segments totaling up to three and a half hours. The VR practice scenario has been included in week seven of the training module.

“The course is designed to help education professionals on their journey towards understanding and embracing equal justice and belonging, and achieving equitable student outcomes,” McClure added.

Shift Bias helped the faculty members to curate ideas and provide feedback on the content for the curriculum. Ramshaw established the technology infrastructure for the program to ensure the possibility of large-scale content delivery.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has driven the demand and understanding of virtual reality forward by years, and there is now a greater need for training using this technology,” stated Shift Bias founder Wendy Morgan. “We have already developed a five-course series to train in infection prevention specific to COVID-19.”

According to a study by PwC, virtual reality leads to 275 percent enhancement in terms of confidence for learners. They feel more comfortable applying their skills and can complete the programs almost four times faster than conventional learning methods.

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