Northlands College learners recently experienced a new way of learning as the college introduced a new Virtual Reality (VR) capacity at the institution. Learners enrolled in the college’s Health Science 20 course had the opportunity to take a deep dive into the human digestive system via a 360-degree video VR experience.
On this relatively new experience for the learners, the instructor, Sam Sanderson, said, “By utilizing this technology today, we completely immersed the learners in the human digestive system in what I would call a full-scale simulation.” This allowed the learners to gain a new perspective on their bodies and digest the course curriculum while experiencing a new way of learning at the college.
Integrating VR and the Metaverse into the Northlands College curriculum will enhance learning techniques and become a tool to bridge the vast distances of Northern Saskatchewan. VR can facilitate learners in visualizing complex concepts and ideas, making them more engaging and interactive. Furthermore, it provides opportunities for learners to explore subjects and locations that would otherwise be inaccessible, broadening their horizons and enhancing their understanding of the world around them.
Optimistic about this new initiative, Director of IT, Chris Giesbrecht, said, “The Metaverse economy is predicted to grow significantly in the next decade and our learners will benefit from having exposure to what this can offer.“
The integration of VR and the Metaverse at Northlands College is an exciting development that will enhance learning opportunities and support the delivery of programming in Northern Saskatchewan. “Our economy is dynamic, and we see employers in Northern Saskatchewan applying technology grounded in many sciences, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields” said, Karsten Henriksen, President and CEO of Northlands College. Ensuring learners are prepared for the economy of today and tomorrow, by “ensuring we present modern learning tools as part of our transformation strategy” said, Henriksen.
