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Published: March 21, 2025 |
Author: Jacob Carr |
Read Time: 2 minutes
Cedar City, UT – Southern Utah University faculty are pioneering progressive uses of virtual reality (VR) within the classroom, transforming traditional learning experiences across diverse disciplines. From virtual geology field trips to molecular modeling and anatomical dissections, SUU instructors are leveraging VR technology to reinforce student engagement and comprehension.
“I’ve grow to be conscious about how students are changing,” said Matt Prater, assistant professor of chemistry. “Generation Z is the primary generation to have grown up with a saturation of electronic devices and the web at their fingertips. To say that they may learn the exact same as previous generations seems naive.”
Prater has integrated VR into multiple courses, including laboratory and organic chemistry. His approach involves students constructing and examining molecules in VR, fostering a deeper understanding of complex chemical structures.
“The students have overwhelmingly given positive reviews about using VR and said that it helped their understanding of the fabric,” said Prater. “I still get students reminiscing about using it months later.”
In the biology department, assistant professor Sarah Brock has been an early adopter of VR, particularly in her human anatomy classes. Students in her classes utilize VR programs like 3D Organon and Human Anatomy VR to explore body systems, supplementing traditional learning methods.
“Anatomical software for virtual reality has fundamentally transformed our ability to accommodate diverse learning styles and improve content accessibility,” said Brock. “The impact has been each substantial and measurable. Our research has revealed fascinating insights into how anatomy students prioritize their study time on this content-heavy course.”
Brock also emphasized the importance of VR within the context of the present healthcare workforce shortage. “This educational innovation comes at a critical moment for healthcare education in America,” she said. “VR offers an progressive, cost-effective alternative that enhances visualization capabilities while reducing reliance on expensive physical resources.”
Prater and Brock are only two of the varied faculty throughout SUU which have begun to implement VR into their classroom. As SUU continues to develop recent ways to reinforce education, an increasing number of faculty, particularly within the Walter Maxwell Gibson College of Natural Sciences, have begun to include this cutting-edge technology. SUU’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology like VR underscores its dedication to providing students with progressive and interesting learning experiences.
VR/AR initiatives at SUU offer transformative opportunities for college students, faculty, and staff through experiential learning through emerging technologies. Faculty profit from a dedicated cohort that fosters collaboration and progressive teaching methods, integrating immersive technology into the curriculum. Campus-wide initiatives also actively involve the SUU community in exploring the potential of VR/AR technologies, enriching the general academic experience.
Tags:
Student
College of Natural Sciences
FacStaff
Biology
Physics
Academic
Chemistry
Contact Information:
Brooke Heath
435-586-5400
brookeheath1@suu.edu
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