Texas A&M Professor Uses Immersive Technology To Push The Limits Of Teaching

Dr. Jinsil Hwaryoung Seo at Texas A&M University is revolutionizing education by creating immersive virtual reality training environments for medical students and healthcare professionals.

Seo combines artistic expertise with technical innovation to develop VR applications that address real-world challenges. Her team collaborates with subject matter experts to create safe, repeatable training scenarios where students can practice complex procedures without risk. The immersive technology enables embodied learning through physical interaction with virtual environments, improving memory retention and skill application.

• Students use VR headsets and haptic gloves to practice medical procedures like examining virtual patients in realistic hospital settings
• Over 12 VR programs have been developed for nursing education, supporting more than 500 students across Texas universities
• Applications extend beyond healthcare to include anatomy education, forensic nursing certification, and even reminiscence therapy for elderly patients with Alzheimer's
• The technology offers cost-effective training solutions for resource-limited institutions, particularly in rural areas where traditional laboratory setups are prohibitively expensive