Lecturers of fully online qualifications face the challenge of designing activities that simulate real-life experiences for postgraduate students. Virtual reality has become increasingly popular in higher education since the exponential growth in technology and online education. The increasing demand for immersive, interactive learning environments drives this shift. This pilot study explored using a virtual reality platform called FrameVR in a Research module to enhance engagement and simulate real-life experiences of postgraduate students in Public Health. Guided by the 7 Steps for Designing and Executing an Implementation pilot study (REL Appalachia, 2021), a virtual “Interview” environment was developed to explore the platform’s usability. Feedback was collected from 54 participants using an online questionnaire comprising two components: a checklist with 14 items and an open-ended question. Responses to the checklist were summarized visually using a chart, while thematic analysis was applied to the open-ended responses. The findings revealed that most participants could interact with the platform's features, such as 360° images, PDFs, a whiteboard, videos, and the integration with the learning management system. While some participants appreciated the game-like experience of the platform, others reported feeling unsure of what to do when navigating the environment. Notably, six participants could not navigate the platform or complete the learning activities.

The study identified three key areas for improvement: platform navigation, clarity of instructions, and device compatibility. Addressing these issues could improve the effectiveness of virtual reality platforms in creating engaging and authentic learning experiences for postgraduate students.

Authors:
Mari van Wyk, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Liz Wolvaardt, University of Pretoria, South Africa

About the Presenter(s)
Mari van Wyk is a Senior Learning Designer and research associate at the Faculty of Education at the University of Pretoria. Her research currently focuses on online learning, where she explores virtual reality in online qualifications.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mari-van-wyk-3396b334

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