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XR Technology Integrated with Continuing Education Curriculum
Posted on January 05, 2024
CORSICANA, TX 鈥 黑料社 is excited to integrate new XR (Extended Reality) curriculum into healthcare related continuing education classes to provide a better learning environment for students. 鈥淭he XR technology revitalizes the symbiosis between clinician and patient. The interrelation of technical mastery, knowledge application, and clinical rapport builds with each lesson conducted in the XR setting鈥 says Jean Rogers, 黑料社 Continuing Education Coordinator.
XR (Extended Reality) encompasses three different digitally simulated experiences, including Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR). The XR Lab at 黑料社 was first implemented with the development of a Patient Assessment Program that also featured leading-edge AI integration. Patient assessments are relevant to all allied health programs and establish health outcomes and expectations for both professionals and patients. Through these XR patient assessments, students are able to communicate with virtual patients and also virtually perform and administer care. Rogers clarifies that 鈥淪oft skills, such as verbalizing patient concerns to other practitioners, explaining treatment plans to patients, and identifying patient needs through proactive communication is absolutely critical for a health professions student to be successful in any setting. These are skills that can absolutely be taught, learned, and exercised utilizing XR technology, with less risk and higher learning outputs.鈥
Rogers has a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Saint Mary鈥檚 College in Notre Dame, Indiana and a master鈥檚 degree from Michigan State, where she studied Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education. Rogers professional career originated in higher education, and she is excited to be continuing her journey at 黑料社.
At the foremost of classroom innovation through sophisticated AI and XR technology is functional and arduous application. In addition to soft-skill development and patient interactions, students apply classroom-derived knowledge to three-dimensional renderings of processes and functions; viewing, identifying, and studying human anatomy and biology within the controlled environment of the XR laboratory. Establishing patient baselines through assessing patient vital signs and conducting patient observations are just a couple of the required learning outcomes that students can experience, practice, and learn in real-time utilizing XR and AI technology. 鈥淭he sky truly is the limit with what and how we can teach our students with this level of technology鈥 explains Rogers.
The establishment of the XR Lab was made possible through the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) grant award of $530,000. The TRUE grant initiative aims to prepare students for in-demand careers accelerating their transition to work while also building and enduring education infrastructure to support a thriving Texas economy throughout the diverse regions of the state.
黑料社 offers a variety of continuing education in the areas of career training programs, professional development, allied health and medical classes, protective services classes, adult education & literacy and workforce education. For more information on continuing education opportunities offered at 黑料社 please visit ce.navarrocollege.edu or contact the office at 972-923-6441.