Virtual reality environment in pharmacy education: A cyclical study on instructional design principles

• Published in: Journal of computer assisted learning 2024-02, Vol.40 (1), p.269-287
• Main Authors: Doğan, Ezgi, Şahin, Yusuf Levent
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Computer Simulation; Data collection; Design factors; design‐based research; Education; Educational technology; Experiential learning; Instructional design; Learning; Pharmaceutical Education; Pharmacy; pharmacy education; Principles; Skills; Thinking Skills; Virtual Classrooms; virtual environment design; Virtual environments; Virtual reality
• ISSN: 0266-4909; 1365-2729
• DOI: 10.1111/jcal.12878

Background It is crucial to use innovative tools to gain clinical reasoning skills through experiential learning in pharmacy education, and one of the most effective tools used in this is virtual reality. However, the lack of research that empirically demonstrates the instructional principles of virtual environment design, especially in the clinical setting, has resulted in a significant gap in the current literature. Aim In this study, it was aimed to determine the instructional design principles of a virtual environment for the clinical pharmacy. Method The study was conducted as a design‐based research. The data of the study related to three components of the developed virtual reality environment in pharmacy education (VRPE). These components, scenario development interface‐scenario development interface, virtual environment, and scenario, were collected through interviews, observation, document review, and a system usability scale. Instructional design principles for the VRPE were determined through analysis of the collected data. Results The prominent instructional design principles of the VRPE were revealed as immersion, interaction, diversity, flow, aesthetics‐ergonomic‐universal design, informing, and retest availability. The significance of the study was the adoption of a holistic perspective in the design of a virtual reality environment for pharmacy education. In addition, one of the most critical features of the study was eliminating the expertise barrier in virtual environment design. Thus, it was concluded that the VRPE is an extraordinary tool that can be used for pharmacy education to promote experiential learning. Lay Description What is already known about this topic Enrichment of pharmacy education with innovative practices and educational technologies is encouraged. Theories to guide research and application development regarding virtual environment design are lacking. Features such as immersion, interaction and flow in virtual environment design have been studied in various studies. What this paper adds The research brings a holistic perspective on the design of virtual environments in pharmacy education. The research removes the barrier of expertise in virtual environment design with the scenario development interface. The results expand the literature by revealing instructional design principles on the issues to be considered in virtual environment design. The implications of study findings for practitioners Further studies on contex