Preview
Public health emergencies require the availability of various and effective education and distance education options for public health and clinical laboratories.
To follow the pace of evolution training needs, DLS has mixed innovative technology and educational design principles by adding virtual reality, or VR, to its laboratory training and workforce toolbox.
VR offers laboratory professionals the possibility of applying, evaluating and improving their skills in a safe and controlled learning environment. In other words, VR simulations allow learners to make expensive mistakes while learning new skills without real consequences.
In 2019, DLS launched a three -year pilot project, in partnership with the Center for Preparendss and Response to:
- Develop the very first CDC VR laboratory training course.
- Investigate if laboratory learners acquire skills in addition to gaining knowledge when they take CDC VR training courses.
- Identify the criteria for the training of objectives and subjects that would benefit the most from the integration of VR technology into learning based on CDC distance.
DLS Virtual Reality (VR) Strengths training project
DLS has designed, developed, tested pilot and evaluated a VR training course focused on the implementation of a biological security firm (BSC) to complete a Existing BSC Elearning training courses. The VR course has been designed so that learners can identify the main parts, demonstrate how to maintain a positive air flow, demonstrate how to prepare for work, apply work practices in complete safety, demonstrate how to decontaminate and stop and carry out emergency stop procedures for a class II biosedigious safety cabinet, an emergence of BSL-2 Biosl-2.
DLS Pilot tested this course with 59 CDC staff grouped into two types of learners: those who had experience in using a BSC and those who did not do so. The results of the evaluation have shown that VR training could be an effective training modality to improve learners' confidence and teach laboratory skills. The pilots left the VR training course with laboratory skills or solid foundations for laboratory skills while keeping all the amening of Elearning intact.
Facts and statistics
Criteria for selecting the VR modality
The results, comments and literature reviews linked to the pilot test will also light DLS's future decisions on the integration of VR technology into laboratory training resources. More specifically, the DLS will examine the following when determining the use of virtual reality in CDC laboratory training resources is necessary.
