Educational Research

In an ambitious endeavor to redefine educational methodologies, California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) embarked on a pioneering virtual reality (VR) initiative in 2022, through a strategic partnership with VictoryXR, one of the world leaders in educational VR content creation. This initiative positioned CSUDH among ten distinguished universities worldwide to integrate VR into their academic programs, specifically targeting the enhancement of introductory physics courses within the physics department. Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Horace Crogman, the project leverages an EPACE grant along with Department of Education funding to equip faculty with the necessary skills to utilize VR both as a standalone teaching modality and as a supplementary tool aimed at enriching traditional teaching methodologies.

The introduction of VR in education, spearheaded by CSUDH, represents a significant shift towards immersive learning environments, providing students with an unparalleled opportunity to engage with course material in a highly interactive and engaging manner. Dr. Crogman's efforts in faculty training underscore the institution's commitment to not only adopting cutting-edge technologies but also ensuring that educators are proficient in leveraging these tools to enhance learning outcomes.

However, the nascent nature of VR in educational settings presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. The relative newness of VR as an educational tool has sparked a burgeoning field of research aimed at optimizing pedagogical strategies, developing dynamic educational content, and understanding the long-term impacts of immersive learning on student performance and engagement. This research topic seeks to explore the implications of CSUDH's VR initiative on the broader landscape of educational technology, with a focus on how VR can revolutionize teaching methodologies, enhance student learning experiences, and shape the future of education.

Objectives:

• To analyze the effectiveness of VR in improving learning outcomes in introductory physics courses at CSUDH.
• To identify best practices in training faculty to utilize VR as a teaching modality.
• To explore the potential of VR in creating dynamic, immersive educational content that transcends traditional learning boundaries.
• To assess the broader implications of VR adoption in higher education on pedagogical strategies and educational technology advancements.

Through a comprehensive exploration of CSUDH's VR initiative, this research aims to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on the integration of immersive technologies in education, highlighting both the potential benefits and challenges. The findings are expected to provide valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and technology developers aiming to harness VR's transformative power in shaping the future of learning.