CVRRICULUM VR
Completed
STUDY OVERVIEW
SUMMARY
The CVRRICULUM (CVR) program was developed to embed virtual reality (VR) into undergraduate education by replacing traditional written assignments with immersive VR projects using 360° video and head-mounted displays. Five instructors from nursing and humanities courses adapted existing assignments with support from faculty workshops, technical guides, and research assistants. This mixed-methods pilot evaluated the feasibility of integrating VR into curricula and identified key challenges, benefits, and resource needs for future implementation.
KEY FINDINGS
VR assignments were feasible to implement and were seen as engaging, immersive, and supportive of experiential learning and empathy-building. Students found the technology intuitive, while instructors reported strong educational value. Key challenges included assignment clarity, low grade weighting relative to workload, the need for ongoing technical support, and logistical issues such as filming consent and equipment access.These findings led to the development of instructor guides, student workbooks, and equipment manuals to improve scalability and support future curriculum integration.
PUBLICATIONS
Appel, L., Peisachovich, E., & Sinclair, D. (2021). CVRRICULUM program: benefits and challenges of embedding virtual reality as an educational medium in undergraduate curricula. Int. J. Innov. Educ. Res, 9(3), 219-236. https://doi.org/10.31686/ijier.vol9.iss3.2992
Appel, L., Peisachovich, E., Sinclair, D. (2021). CVRriculum Program: Outcomes from an Exploratory Pilot Program Incorporating Virtual Reality Technology into Existing Curricula and Evaluating Its Impact on Empathy-Building and Experiential Education Opportunities. Canadian Journal of Nursing Informatics, 16(1). https://cjni.net/journal/?p=8571
Peisachovich E, Appel L, Sinclair D, Luchnikov V, Da Silva C. CVRriculum Program Faculty Development Workshop: Outcomes and Suggestions for Improving the Way We Guide Instructors to Embed Virtual Reality Into Course Curriculum. Cureus. 2021 Mar 4;13(3):e13692. doi: 10.7759/cureus.13692. PMID: 33824834; PMCID: PMC8012247.
Peisachovich, E. H., Johnson, S., Epstein, I., Da Silva, C., Gal, R., Appel, L., & Popovic, C. (2017). Simulated-Person Methodology Workshop: Enhancing Pedagogical Practices within Higher Education.
PARTNERS
FUNDERS