A pilot project of the learning experience of undergraduate occupational therapy students in a 3-D virtual environment in the United Kingdom

Hook, AD; Bodell, SJ; Griffiths, LS

Abstract

This pilot study explored the learning experience of four undergraduate occupational therapy students in Second Life (SL). The study aimed to explore the feasibility of learning about facilitating occupational performance in a home environment via a virtual platform.
A house was developed within SL that simulated simple barriers to occupational performance that may be experienced by a wheelchair user. The students were asked to navigate through the house and attempt to remedy any barriers they found. They were observed doing this, and substantive notes including descriptions, quotes and summaries of the experience were recorded by one of the researchers. This was followed by a 1:1 semi-structured interview conducted by the second researcher. All data was transcribed as appropriate, coded and analysed thematically. Themes identified include the relationship between the student and the avatar, the student experience of the task, interaction with the SL environment and development of new knowledge and understanding.
There is potential for learning about barriers to occupational performance in the home via SL, but it is a resource intensive strategy for faculty. This casts doubt on the value of the learning strategy when considered in relation to benefits. Future research is recommended to evaluate the potential value of teaching and learning about environmental adaptation in a 3D world.

Citation

Hook, A., Bodell, S., & Griffiths, L. (2015). A pilot project of the learning experience of undergraduate occupational therapy students in a 3-D virtual environment in the United Kingdom. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78(9), 576-584. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308022614564169

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 9, 2014
• Online Publication Date: May 8, 2015
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Oct 17, 2014
• Journal: British Journal of Occupational Therapy
• Print ISSN: 0308-0226
• Electronic ISSN: 1477-6006
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 78
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 576-584
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0308022614564169
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0308022614564169
• Related Public URLs: http://www.uk.sagepub.com/journalsProdDesc.nav?prodId=Journal202308&ct_p=title&crossRegion=eur