Abstract:

How can we create learning which is immersive and surrounds students in the atmosphere of real-world environments? This question led the development of a virtual reality experience to complement a humanitarian logistics simulation at Kühne Logistics University. This poster presentation will focus on the development of the virtual reality experience and the impact on the first group of students to use it, highlighting the pedagogical theories which supports the findings. The experience will also be available for passers-by to try out using one of our VR headsets which we will bring to the INTED conference.

In this simulation, university students act as a team of logistics experts aiding in the immediate aftermath of an earthquake. A full day is dedicated to the simulation, where students collaborate in teams and develop leadership and communication skills as they negotiate with NGO stakeholders, present their progress towards the negotiated goals, and pitch to donors to aid them with their humanitarian efforts.

The virtual reality stakeholder interaction portion of the simulation offers heightened realism and immersion for students, who are transported from their classrooms to cramped and hastily put together conference rooms or tents in the heart of the crisis zone. They must work to aid NGOs in their humanitarian efforts and feel the weight of their decisions while prioritising between different needs of the NGO stakeholders. Should they prioritise the 10,000 blankets needed for refugees who are freezing in the disaster zone, or choose instead to transport water and food supplies to the area?

Keywords:

Virtual reality, VR, immersive learning, technology, simulation.