Summary:

In this episode of Acadicus Simulation Pulse Live, Rick Castille and Bill Ballo discuss best practices for training new faculty, integrating Acadicus into lecture-based courses, and expanding its use in various medical education disciplines. They cover recent training sessions at Madison College, including labor and delivery simulations, cardiac arrest scenarios, and postpartum assessments.

Additionally, they highlight the importance of preparing simulations in advance, troubleshooting VR hardware, and how faculty can make small scenario tweaks to increase student engagement. The episode also explores new trauma content, featuring knife and gunshot wounds, and how Acadicus‘s physics-enabled environments can support behavioral health training.

The discussion also touches on Meta’s new “Quest for Education” initiative, which aims to provide better management and content distribution for VR headsets in schools and universities.

Episode Highlights:

Training New Faculty to Use Acadicus

• Faculty training starts with understanding the hardware, including why PC VR is used for higher fidelity rather than Standalone headsets.
• Hands-on VR exposure is critical—faculty must experience the platform themselves before using it in class.
• Training workflow:
  • Basic VR interaction (adjusting headsets, navigating environments).
  • Admin controls & scene setup (placing and modifying patients, tools, and props).
  • Using non-VR mode for instruction (how faculty facilitate simulations for students).
• Faculty are encouraged to practice independently before implementing Acadicus in their courses.

Expanding Acadicus into Lectures and Classroom Learning

• Many instructors now use Acadicus for lecture enhancement, not just simulation.
• Example: Labor & delivery instructors project VR simulations onto screens during class.
• This approach:
  • Makes lectures more engaging.
  • Helps students visualize complex processes (e.g., cardiac blood flow, postpartum assessments).
  • Allows step-by-step demonstrations using existing VR assets.
• Faculty are increasingly self-initiating VR adoption, driving organic growth in VR education.

Recent Simulation Updates & Improvements

• Botany Program Integration:
  • The latest botany simulation at Madison College is now fully implemented.
  • Piloted in Fall 2024, now running full-time in 2025.
• Cardiac Arrest (CHF to Arrest) Scenario Refinements:
  • Student feedback led to minor simulation tweaks, like ensuring medication dosages match documentation.
  • 3D recordings are used to simulate extra team members in small-group resuscitations.
• Postpartum Assessment Enhancements:
  • Instructors found students more engaged when faculty played the patient’s spouse and asked questions.
  • Role-playing prompts critical thinking and clinical communication skills.

New Trauma Content: Knife & Gunshot Wounds

• Acadicus now includes a Gen 2 trauma patient with:
  • Knife wounds.
  • Gunshot wounds.
  • Expanded vitals and symptoms for complex emergency scenarios.
• Trauma scenarios can be used for EMS, emergency medicine, and surgical training.
• Bill plans to test and integrate this content into upcoming EMS simulations.

Using Physics in Acadicus for Mental Health & Behavioral Training

• Physics-enabled object interactions allow:
  • Throwing objects in simulations (simulating aggressive patients).
  • Escalation & de-escalation training for behavioral health professionals.
• More requests are coming in for mental health scenarios, prompting Acadicus to explore new interaction mechanics.

Meta’s Quest for Education Initiative

• Meta announced “Quest for Education”, offering managed VR solutions for schools.
• Potential benefits:
  • Easier device management (over-the-air updates, content control).
  • Unified login & app deployment across multiple headsets.
  • Reduced setup time for instructors using Meta Quest devices.
• Details on pricing and available apps are still unclear—schools must contact Meta directly for specifics.
• Acadicus users managing large-scale VR labs (50+ headsets) may benefit from this program.

The Future of VR in Education: Hybrid PC & Standalone Integration

• Standalone headsets are useful for portability and ease of use.
• PC VR offers superior visual fidelity, real-time adjustments, and advanced interactivity.
• The best approach is hybrid adoption—Standalone for lightweight training, PC VR for advanced simulations.
• Acadicus continues to support both models, offering flexible deployment options for institutions.

This episode highlights how VR is evolving beyond just simulation, now becoming a core tool for interactive lectures, faculty training, and complex scenario development. The new trauma content and behavioral health applications further expand Acadicus‘s potential for medical and emergency response education.