Design and Development of Virtual Reality (VR) to Enhance Online Learning Experience

Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 06 May 2025

Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign, Access To Care, Waiting Time, Productivity, Time Saving, Lean Methodology, Value Based Care, Patient Satisfaction

About this Content

Aims

1. Provide practical experience in a safe & controlled environment where staff can gain confidence to work on real-life projects.
2. Overcome operational constraints of needing to find suitable settings (e.g., clinic, pharmacy) and coordinate time for training.
3. Maintain the accessibility that microlearning provided: Learning anytime, anywhere.

Background

The transition to digital learning has significantly enhanced accessibility to training, enabling individuals to learn at their own pace and convenience. However, despite its numerous advantages, digital learning has often struggled to effectively integrate theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical experience. This limitation has posed challenges for individuals in applying acquired knowledge to real-world scenarios or daily tasks. Recognizing the importance of preserving the convenience of digital learning while addressing the gap between theory and practice, our team embarked on exploring Virtual Reality (VR) technology as a means to augment digital learning experiences. Our objective was to bridge the disparity between theoretical understanding and practical application, thereby fostering greater confidence among staff members in applying learned concepts to their projects and daily responsibilities.In pursuit of widespread accessibility, this augmentation was seamlessly integrated into our e-learning module titled "Identifying Waste, Improving through 6S," accessible to all TTSH staff. Upon completion of the e-learning module, staff have the opportunity to further reinforce their understanding by immersing themselves in a VR environment tailored to simulate the application of 6S principles. This innovative approach not only enhances learning outcomes but also empowers staff with practical skills essential for their roles.

Methods

Implementing effective VR training requires careful planning, development, and evaluation to ensure that it meets the needs of learners and delivers the desired learning outcomes. The first step is to identify specific training objectives relevant to learners while being aligned with the organisational goals. MyCare 6S has been a TTSH signature programme since 2008 to equip staff with basic Lean knowledge to improve their work processes and environment. The lessons taught in VR need to tie back closely to the content found in our signature programme. VR requires specialised hardware like headsets and controllers. The right hardware was chosen based on goals, budget, and technical requirements such as needing it to be lightweight and portable. We have identified ‘Oculus Quest 2’ as the VR headset as it met all of our key requirements and long term goal to scale beyond the hospital. The VR content was developed based on the identified training objectives. It is interactive and engaging to provide realistic scenarios that learners can relate to. Some of the key features are step-by-step guide on using the controller to interact with the virtual environment and help learners get comfortable using the technology, augmented with visual, audio, text and tactile feedback catering for different learning styles. Learners are less likely to experience cognitive overload and can better focus their attention on the learning by completing smaller learning segments. They can see their progress and feel a sense of accomplishment, which can help keep them motivated to continue learning. They are also able to take breaks and continue learning later, which can help reduce cognitive load, improve retention, provide flexibility, and reduce stress. Providing support and guidance throughout the training process is important, especially for this new service. Having an on-site facilitator helps learners to navigate the VR environment and overcome any challenges they may encounter.

Results

The overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants underscores the significant impact of the VR training initiative on enhancing and deepening their understanding of 6S knowledge. Surpassing our initial target of 80%, achieving a unanimous agreement rate of 100% reaffirms the effectiveness and value of the VR experience in reinforcing key concepts and fostering comprehensive learning outcomes among participants. The impact of achieving 100% agreement from participants regarding the
enhancement and deepening of their understanding of 6S knowledge, surpassing the initial target of 80%, is multifaceted:
• The unanimous agreement reflects the effectiveness of the VR training program in achieving its educational objectives. Participants' heightened understanding indicates that the VR experience successfully conveyed complex concepts in an engaging and comprehensible manner.
• By exceeding the targeted agreement rate, the VR training has significantly contributed to enhanced learning outcomes among participants. They have not only gained a deeper understanding of 6S principles but are also better equipped to apply this knowledge in their respective roles within TTSH.
• The positive feedback suggests that participants feel more confident in their grasp of 6S concepts. This heightened confidence can translate into improved performance and efficiency in implementing 6S practices within TTSH.
• Achieving 100% agreement validates the investment in developing and implementing the VR training program. It demonstrates that resources allocated to this initiative have yielded tangible results, with participants affirming the value of the VR experience in enhancing their professional development. Overall, the impact of surpassing the initial target underscores the success of the VR training program in delivering tangible benefits to participants and contributing to the overarching goals of knowledge enhancement and skills development within TTSH.

Conclusion

This project has successfully achieved its primary objective.

Lessons Learnt

Scenario Curation Takes Time - As the 1st formal VR training in TTSH, we required more time to look into the following:
• Scenarios should be carefully selected and adapted and cater to a diverse group of staff.
• Drawing up credible storyboards relevant for staff’s learning is an iterative process requiring close collaboration.
• Use targeted publicity and integrate the VR practical experience into staff’s learning paths for maximum uptake.
Less is More - We started with a direct translation of real-life scenarios into the VR environment to make the scenario more immersive. However, we learnt that in VR, keeping the environment and number of interactable elements minimal helped learners focus their attention to the learning objectives.

Additional Information

1. "Outstanding Poster" award winner at National Quality Improvement Conference 2023. Title: Augmenting Digital Lean Training with Virtual Reality (VR)
2. “Recognition of Excellence 2024” award winner at OpenGov Asia 2024.
3. VR 6S featured in Meta Connect 2023, Govinsider, multiple local TV/news, and TTSH social media platform.

Keywords

Virtual Reality, Learning & Development, Learning platform, digital learning

Innovators' Details

Connect with this contributor!

Loo Wei Hann - Wei_hann_loo@ttsh.com.sg ↗ (opens in new tab)

Project Attachment