TITLE:
Building Social Science Simulations for College Students Using VR Headsets
AUTHORS:
Brendan G. Beal
KEYWORDS:
Simulated Client, Virtual Reality Headset, Empathy Machine, Role Play, Gamification, HMD
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.9 No.8,
August
4,
2021
ABSTRACT: This
article outlines the original design and implementation of a virtual reality
simulation for use in a college practice class. The simulation functions as a training opportunity and quick assessment of group
leadership skills. VR headset makers like HTC, Oculus, or smart phone
set-ups provide high-fidelity, immersive experiences, and this simulation was
designed from the ground up to provide a unique set of situations for a
specific class. In combination with the VR component, an immediate debrief with
students afterwards connects the process in order to link theory and practice.
The simulation was prototyped and built in five phases. This article covers
lessons learned from each of the five phases: starting costs and equipment,
partnerships, basic concept design, freelance developer hiring, and
recommendations for course implementation.