Abstract
Virtual and Altered Reality (VR/AR) technologies have been recognized for their potential to improve students’ workforce readiness across multiple disciplines, including criminal justice and cybersecurity; they may also function as an example a signature pedagogy in these disciplines, namely, experiential learning. Yet, little empirical research has been published concerning their impact in the related coursework, with only a handful of scholarly studies reporting net-positive effects on student learning, class satisfaction, and empathy. This study reports on a multi-year pilot program to integrate VR/AR headsets into three criminal justice and security classes taught at the introductory and advanced levels. In each class, VR/AR headset assignments (employing 360° videos) were deployed to increase student engagement, stimulate critical reflection, and improve familiarity with emerging technologies used in professional practice. Associated reflection assignments were designed to capture self-reported student learning, perceptual changes, and barriers to headset use, while a brief survey was distributed to measure student satisfaction with the technology. A rapid assessment of this quantitative and qualitative data revealed consistent evidence of “added value” for students, as well as strong affective responses to the content presented in virtual reality (ex. solitary confinement, immersive international tours). Few barriers to headset use inside or outside the classroom were documented. While this study reports on a limited sample of students, future research should investigate student learning and affective outcomes within a wider range of subject areas, with view to headsets as a flexible form of experiential learning in the post-COVID era.
Presenters
Jennifer BreeseAssistant Professor, Information Sciences and Technology, Penn State University, Pennsylvania, United States Katherine McLean
Associate Professor, Criminal Justice, Penn State Greater Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
KEYWORDS
AR/VR Research, Educational Technology, Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity
