CHENEY – The Program Leading to University Success (PLUS) at Eastern Washington University is making strides in academic support by partnering with Curio XR, an innovative remote learning company. The collaboration aims to offer virtual-reality tutoring and study assistance to students pursuing their academic and career goals.
Eastern is among the 23 universities accepted into Curio XR’s pilot program, granting its students early access to the virtual reality app.
Samer Alrayes, a Retention Specialist for the PLUS program, said the partnership with Curio XR started in the Fall 22 quarter. “While we are not sure of the exact date, we do know that this program has been in existence since early 2021,” he said.
As part of the pilot program, Eastern initially received four Meta Quest 2 headsets linked to the Curio XR app, facilitating users’ access to a virtual reality classroom. Building on its sustained involvement in the pilot program, Eastern has subsequently acquired two additional headsets, Meta Quest 3s.
Aimee Brooks, a graduate assistant collaborating with the PLUS program, detailed the capabilities of the headsets and Curio XR. They enable students to engage with advanced human anatomy models, construct molecules, and utilize features like 3D drawing and 360-degree viewing. Brooks emphasized the elimination of the need for tutors to sketch, as they can now reference perfect virtual models.
The immersive resources provided by the headsets make tutoring more accessible for both tutors and students. With movable models, students can immerse themselves in the learning experience. Brooks cited examples of students entering a virtual reality grocery store to practice the language they are studying.
While the Meta Quest headsets are currently exclusive to the Cheney campus, PLUS aspires to secure additional headsets for students at the SIERR building. Furthermore, PLUS plans to expand the number of virtual reality sessions and collaborate with Curio XR to introduce content in new academic areas.
Although the Curio XR app is in an evolving stage, Eastern is positioned to provide valuable feedback to shape the software. In return, students gain access to 3D interactive models, enhancing the learning experience.
“VR is the future of learning,” Brooks asserted, highlighting its statistically proven benefits for memory enhancement. The utilization of virtual reality represents a significant advancement in education.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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