The University of Westminster has partnered with non-profit graduate business school INSEAD and technology company AVRIS, to embed the use of Virtual Reality (VR) into the curriculum, transforming the classroom experience and giving students a new innovative way of learning.
During the first term of the 2023–2024 academic year, Westminster Business School (WBS) became the first business school in the UK to embed VR sessions into the curriculum. Throughout the semester they held various VR sessions as part of a range of courses, giving more than 500 Management and Marketing students the chance to become active participants in immersive learning environments. They were able to explore shea nut supply chains in Ghana, become part of Mars missions, see how an eye clinic in Egypt functions and engage in diverse interactive workplace scenarios, opening up new dimensions of understanding, interaction and learning.
The School of Management and Marketing is leading this project within WBS and will continue using VR in semester two. Currently VR has been implemented into a variety of undergraduate modules including: Sustainability Marketing, Contemporary Issues in Sports Management, International Market Planning and Strategy and Contemporary Selling and Sales Management. It has also been added into two postgraduate modules: Product and Brand Management and Designing Value.
On the partnerships, Professor Jose Ruiz-Alba Robledo, Professor of Marketing and project lead, said: “We are always exploring new frontiers in teaching and learning. We have embraced Virtual Reality not just as a tool, but as an integral part of our teaching strategy, enhancing engagement and understanding. With VR, students' engagement has increased substantially facilitating a strong sense of presence with undivided attention. Experiential learning is more memorable and impactful. Our teaching staff find new ways of focusing on solving real-life challenges and to better achieve their learning objectives.
“Thanks to our partnership with INSEAD and AVRIS we are excited for our students that have the opportunity to experience this innovative learning journey and for Westminster Business School to lead the way in VR business education in the UK.”
Find out more about Westminster Business School at the University of Westminster.
Credit: Richard Berry
