Title: Face to face versus 360 VR: Comparison of two teaching methods in nursing education
Abstract:
Purpose: One of the commonly used educational method to supplement skills learning across various disciplines is video-based teaching method. This study incorporates 360º VR video into skills laboratory training as an alternative approach to face-to-face procedure demonstration.
Methods: An open-label, parallel (1:1), randomized controlled trial study was conducted among 62 third-year undergraduate nursing students at Hiroshima University, Japan. They were block-randomized into 360º VR video and face-to-face group. After a 3-hour theoretical class of patient management on ventilator and closed-suction principles, the 360º VR group watched closed tracheal suction using Meta Quest 2, while the face-to-face group attended the instructor’s demonstration. A week after, the students’ psychomotor skills, knowledge, satisfaction, confidence were evaluated; the 360º VR video group’s perception was explored; Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare the two groups.
Results: A total of 57 students were analyzed; 27 students in the 360º VR video group and 30 students in face-to-face group. There were no statistically significant differences between both groups in skills, knowledge, and confidence. However, the face-to-face group had significantly higher satisfaction level than the 360º VR group. In the 360º VR video group, 62% agreed that VR makes learning more interesting; 62.5% experienced VR sickness symptoms, and “feeling of drunk” is the highest. The students appreciated the ready to use, immersiveness, and realism; however, symptoms and discomfort, burdensomeness, and production limitations were improvements recommended.
Conclusion: Although face-to-face demonstration is the established method of teaching psychomotor, the use of 360º VR video could achieve similar learning effect as an alternative approach.
