Gamifying Human Anatomy & Physiology: Leveraging Virtual Reality for Innovative Multimodal Learning in Life Science, Biomedical and Medical Education

This project aims to enhance student learning in human anatomy and physiology by developing and piloting a multimodal, gamified Virtual Reality learning environment (“Virtual Medicine”) that simulates an operation theatre and autopsy room to support active/experiential learning at scale in Life Science courses (initially LIFS3040 Animal Physiology, with planned extension to other LIFS/Common Core biology offerings). The project’s core objectives are to (1) upgrade and expand an existing VR platform into a more immersive, customizable learning experience (3D anatomical models, realistic environments, and multisensory elements such as sound/lighting/vibration), (2) embed gamified learning and in-app assessment (e.g., MCQ-style checkpoints, interactive tasks, immediate feedback) while integrating VR use with existing teaching materials and tutorials/workshops, (3) create an online/offline database to support reuse and sharing of VR assets and materials across courses, (4) strengthen implementation capacity through training teaching assistants and student partners to facilitate VR-supported learning, and (5) evaluate and iteratively improve the approach using student feedback (surveys/focus groups/interviews) and usage/learning analytics, with dissemination and sustainability planning for longer-term adoption.