University of Connecticut
Education & Training
Virtual Reality
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Connecticut's Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation sought to enhance their Entrepreneurial Journey course using Virtual Reality.
VR was considered to be a fitting solution to overcome the difficulties of remote learning, as the course focused on collaboration and the integration of new technologies. Professor Tara Watrous, who taught the course, noted the difficulty in engaging with students through remote learning. The use of VR was expected to address these challenges and enhance the course experience for students.
The semester-long course was partly conducted in VR using Glimpse Group subsidiary Foretell Reality's collaborative VR platform, featuring multiple breakout rooms with features such as positional audio and customizable avatars to recreate the social experience of traditional classroom learning.
Teachers were equipped with tools to track quantitative progress. The VR platform allowed students to present their final projects in a virtual environment, providing opportunities to practice important soft skills like public speaking, interpersonal communication, and networking.
The use of VR in the Entrepreneurial Journey course was a major factor in increased student engagement and focus. The immersive nature of VR eliminated distractions and allowed students to be fully present in the virtual learning environment.
This was particularly important for this course, as the Werth Institute emphasized the integration of emerging technologies, making it easier for students to imagine practical solutions to real-world problems. The Director of the Werth Institute, David Noble, noted how VR was perfectly suited for this course, as it made the learning experience more relevant and tangible for students.