The use of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR) and extended reality (XR) in Higher Education is transforming the learning landscape. These technologies can be especially impactful in Medicine and Dentistry, where the ability to simulate complex, real-world scenarios can enhance student learning.
The FMD Immersive Learning Lab was established in 2024 as a central hub across the Faculty to explore the potential of these technologies for teaching, learning and assessment (see this paper for further detail). Within this emergent, lab environment, the Institute of Health Sciences Education (IHSE) and Institute of Dentistry (IoD) will continue to pioneer, while the Digital Education Studio led by Professor Chie Adachi, Dean for Digital Education, provides oversight and alignment with the Faculty’s digital education strategy.
Here's how these technologies are reshaping higher education and how the Lab is exploring their potential:
Our goal is to establish the FMD Immersive Learning Lab as the cornerstone for developing an integrated ecosystem of immersive learning technologies, strongly supported by proven digital pedagogy principles. This initiative will create a central hub within the Faculty dedicated to nurturing a collaborative and innovative environment.This coordinated effort between IHSE, IoD and DES will focus on three primary areas aligned with the Faculty’s strategy, over three years: enhancing pedagogical practices, advancing technology use, and streamlining operations.Research and examples of good practice at FMD are helping us identify the best potential uses for teaching, learning and assessment; we are also scanning the market and possible developments coming in the next few years to inform our approach to the technology and supporting several projects and pilots, while planning future ones.
There are several ongoing projects and available simulated and immersive learning materials in use at the Institute of Dentistry and the IHSE. Below are a few examples.
An AR app which helps dental students develop clinical skills outside of the clinic, using their phones or tablets. These interactive materials are aligned with the BDS and BSc Oral Health curricula and GDC learning outcomes. Content is designed by dental experts to supplement traditional delivery with interactive elements.
CenarioVR is being used at the Institute to create VR, 360-degree videos for scenario-based learning. Students, for example, navigate a virtual clinic and choose what scenario to engage with and skills to develop: patient/dentist communication skills, use of dental instruments, clinical dental bay set up, etc.
This MR project is taking its first steps and aims for the creation of interactive materials students can explore on their own devices or using VR headsets.Teaching staff will create interactive materials adding slides, videos, audio, images and most importantly SRT files (3D models), either from intra oral scanners, dental CAD software, 3d printers, 3d software or Haptic dental and interact within Mixed Reality (MR) - via a HoloLens, and a web app. Students in class, using VR headsets, or at home with their own devices, can interact with 3D models and the holographic content, as well as the use of a mirror screen to allow all the others in the classroom to enjoy the mixed reality experience, for example, to “peel” the layers from the tooth to see the internal features (from enamel to bone), zooming in and out on content and features, adding labels, etc.
Funded by the Principal and President grant (£20K), this is a year long project to pilot Edify/VR for MBBS and Chemistry as a comparative study, in developing practical skills. Educators can create and share lessons and immersive learning content with students across desktop, mobile, and virtual reality. The project at IHSE is in preparation to launch next academic year and aims to create virtual OSCE sessions for students to practice.
The platform presents immersive VR simulations in-headset or on-screen, and students can engage individually or collaboratively and develop skills in clinical scenarios: prioritisation, delegation, communication, motor skills and task-switching, for example.
We invite all members of our community to stay engaged as we embark on this exciting journey, shaping the future of educational technology and learning within our institution.
If you would like to know more about what’s happening in this Immersive Learning Lab, or if you would like to get involved, please contact Digital Education Studio (digitaleducationstudio@qmul.ac.uk)
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