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Virtual Reality (VR) in Higher Education is still in its infancy, but its potential for breakthrough learning experiences is palpable. The CU School of Dental Medicine (SDM) has identified VR as a core learning technology, a tool for Empathy, Pedagogy, and Resiliency. In the 2018-19 school year, we launched the Immersive Learning Suite to supplement student learning in basic sciences, such as human anatomy. In addition, we utilized empathy and resiliency experiences provide students with avenues for learning outside of the intense demands of a 4-year Dental program. In the process, we pioneered a series of technologies for optimizing VR environments, focusing on autonomy within the physical space; and self-directed learning/assessment in the virtual space. This work provides new areas for scholarship, including the comparative measurement of both student learning outcomes and clinical patient outcomes. We evaluated and tested hardware and software to enhance student engagement; facilitate faster and deeper learning; and allow for improved retention of complex topics and more rapid recall. As a result of this work, SDM outlined an Innovation Plan, including the need for 10 backpack-mounted VR workstations, a space dedicated to VR, and the software systems to support deep curriculum integration. This session will focus upon the ways we evaluated and leveraged Virtual Reality to achieve these outcomes. We will provide time for f2f discussion, blended collaborative document creation, and online video viewing within the session.

Session Resource Link: http://bit.ly/sdmvrteams