Early, Active Teaching/Learning Curriculum Transformation

STEM VR Course Reform-Faculty Training

• Curriculum Reform: Transform the University’s STEM education platform from a traditional discipline defined model to a more active, hands-on model that meets the needs of STEM employers and graduate research programs. Institutionalize reformed teaching and learning strategies by including enhanced methods of delivery and interaction such as VR environments within critical gateway science courses such as principles of chemistry, principles of biology, principles of forensic science, introductory physics, and organic chemistry. Towards this end, we will implement academic year and summer training for faculty in STEM VR curriculum enhancement
• Goal: Each year recruit STEM VR course reform faculty from the pool of 7 Faculty Awareness and Commitment to Excellence (FACE) Training Program being trained each year. In 5 years, train 11 faculty in VR training to develop 9 introductory lab courses
• Expected Outcomes: ~1500 STEM students will be enrolled in 9 reformed VR lab courses. The reforming the lab courses with VR and other active learning approaches will increase student success at the next level of education.