New Technology Helps Students Experience Their Futures

McKenzie Anderson had used Virtual Reality (VR) Headsets while playing video games, but it was a whole new experience when they became part of her coursework in her Intro to Health Professions class (HPR 101) this semester. "It was really cool! I knew it wasn't exactly what it was like in real life, but I was able to experience what the setting would be like and what I would be doing."

The VR headsets provides users with an immersive 3-D experience. Each student is equipped with a set of goggles and two hand controllers. A series of post-it notes are placed on the floor, giving each student boundaries to work within. Once the student finalizes their settings, they choose the medical-related scenario they want to experience.

Anderson is a 2021 graduate of Baldwinsville High School enrolled in the Health Sciences degree program. She knows she wants a health care-related career, but  is still working on the specifics. Once inside the VR headset she chose an emergency room experience, and it was quite eye-opening. "I took someone's blood pressure, I put an IV (intravenous tube) in, I assessed the patient's condition. It made me wonder if I'd want to work in an emergency type setting where you could see some graphic things, or if I would want to work where someone was receiving care because they were sick. It opened my eyes to the different types of settings you can work in and what would be the best fit for me."

The VR headsets are new to Onondaga Community College this semester thanks to the support of a Perkins Grant. Students in Professor M'Kaila Clark's Intro to Health Professions class were the first to use them. "This is an exciting and engaging way to help students explore career paths. Many of them in this class haven't done an internship or job shadow yet, so this can be the next best thing," said Professor Clark. She plans to share her experiences with faculty in the School of Health, Wellness, and Human Services so they can determine how to introduce it into their courses.

Anderson is glad she was able to experience VR headsets and hopes future students will take advantage of the opportunity. "They are definitely worth using. If you are thinking about going into healthcare, it's great to get that virtual reality experience."