Academics are investigating whether virtual reality can be used to enhance learning of laboratory tools and techniques.
The SWIFT (Second World Immersive Future Teaching) project uses a virtual reality programme called Second Life to create tailor-made learning environments, helping teachers solve a variety of practical teaching challenges.
Students can familiarise themselves with a laboratory setting in a risk-free environment and conduct genetic tests that would otherwise be too costly or time-consuming for an entire class to do.
Dr Suzanne Lavelle, Teaching Fellow on the SWIFT project, said: “A lot of research has shown that virtual experiences can count as real experiences in people’s minds, but there hasn’t been any real research into how effective it is as a tool for education.
“We felt that using the virtual environment might help students engage more with the theory of what they’re doing when they’re working in the laboratory.”
SWIFT is a collaborative project between the Beyond Distance Research Alliance and GENIE - the Genetics Education Networking for Innovation & Excellence at Leicester University.
