VictoryXR and Harrisburg University partner to bring VR for remote learning and health sciences

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is excited to announce its partnership with VictoryXR, a leading provider of virtual reality and content generation. This collaboration will greatly enhance HU's educational offerings and enable the university to reach students in rural areas and across the globe.

As Harrisburg University expands its health sciences initiatives, virtual reality and augmented reality (VR/AR) will play a crucial role in program differentiation and delivery. One of the groundbreaking programs that will integrate this technology is the new Exercise Science PTA Program. This program allows physical therapist assistants to continue working while pursuing a degree in exercise science, primarily in a remote environment.

Through the use of VR/AR, professors will have the opportunity to demonstrate instructional materials remotely, maximising the limited in-person class time. Students will also benefit from increased hands-on experience and practice of clinical skills. HU plans to expand the implementation of AR/VR to provide cutting-edge immersive learning opportunities across all levels of the university, including programs for high school students and the healthcare community in central PA.

By partnering with VictoryXR, Harrisburg University aims to expand its current Expanded Reality Taskforce and explore the applications of these emerging technologies in other areas of the university.

Dr. Tonya Miller, associate professor and program lead for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Harrisburg University, emphasises the equity that VR technology brings, especially to students in remote locations who may not have had previous access to such experiences. She believes that virtual reality offers an immersive learning experience that surpasses that of a traditional classroom.

Imagine being in an anatomy lab and witnessing the intricate movements and functions of the heart valves. This level of experiential learning goes beyond what a cadaver anatomy lab can provide. It allows students to step inside the heart and observe its workings firsthand. These experiences transform a virtual classroom from a platform for information sharing to a truly immersive learning environment.

Steve Grubbs, CEO of VictoryXR, highlights the success of metaversities—immersive 3D classrooms—in enabling students and professors to learn and collaborate within a simulated campus environment. He envisions the growth and potential of this approach in revolutionising education.

Dr. Muhsinah Morris, the director of Morehouse in the Metaverse, has been at the forefront of immersive learning. She reports positive outcomes in student performance and engagement as more professors and students embrace learning on the metaversity campus.