Development of a Virtual Reality Application for Oculomotor Examination Education Based on Student-Centered Pedagogy

TL;DR

This paper presents a VR application for teaching oculomotor examination, emphasizing student-centered learning, cost-effectiveness, and realistic simulation, with positive student feedback and potential broader educational benefits.

Contribution

It introduces a novel VR-based tool for clinical eye examination training that enhances hands-on experience and accommodates diverse learning styles.

Findings

Students preferred the flexibility of the VR app.

The VR tool provided realistic simulation of clinical practice.

High engagement levels observed in user study.

Abstract

This work-in-progress paper discusses the use of student-centered pedagogy to teach clinical oculomotor examination via Virtual Reality (VR). Traditional methods, such as PowerPoint slides and lab activities, are often insufficient for providing hands-on experience due to the high cost of clinical equipment. To address this, a VR-based application was developed using Unity and the HTC Vive Pro headset, offering a cost-effective solution for practical learning. The VR app allows students to engage in oculomotor examinations at their own pace, accommodating diverse backgrounds and learning preferences. This application enables students to collect and analyze data, providing a realistic simulation of clinical practice. The user study results from Doctor of Physical Therapy students indicate a high preference for the flexibility offered by the VR app, suggesting its potential as a valuable educational tool. Additionally, the paper explores the broader implications of using VR in engineering and computing education, highlighting the benefits of immersive, interactive learning environments.