CORSICANA, TX –  Navarro College is excited to integrate new XR (Extended Reality) curriculum into healthcare related continuing education classes to provide a better learning environment for students. “The XR technology revitalizes the symbiosis between clinician and patient. The interrelation of technical mastery, knowledge application, and clinical rapport builds with each lesson conducted in the XR setting” says Jean Rogers, Navarro College Continuing Education Coordinator.

 

XR (Extended Reality) encompasses three different digitally simulated experiences, including Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR).  The XR Lab at Navarro College was first implemented with the development of a Patient Assessment Program that also featured leading-edge AI integration. Patient assessments are relevant to all allied health programs and establish health outcomes and expectations for both professionals and patients. Through these XR patient assessments, students are able to communicate with virtual patients and also virtually perform and administer care. Rogers clarifies that “Soft skills, such as verbalizing patient concerns to other practitioners, explaining treatment plans to patients, and identifying patient needs through proactive communication is absolutely critical for a health professions student to be successful in any setting. These are skills that can absolutely be taught, learned, and exercised utilizing XR technology, with less risk and higher learning outputs.”

 

Rogers has a bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana and a master’s degree from Michigan State, where she studied Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education. Rogers professional career originated in higher education, and she is excited to be continuing her journey at Navarro College.

 

At the foremost of classroom innovation through sophisticated AI and XR technology is functional and arduous application. In addition to soft-skill development and patient interactions, students apply classroom-derived knowledge to three-dimensional renderings of processes and functions; viewing, identifying, and studying human anatomy and biology within the controlled environment of the XR laboratory. Establishing patient baselines through assessing patient vital signs and conducting patient observations are just a couple of the required learning outcomes that students can experience, practice, and learn in real-time utilizing XR and AI technology. “The sky truly is the limit with what and how we can teach our students with this level of technology” explains Rogers.

 

The establishment of the XR Lab was made possible through the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) grant award of $530,000. The TRUE grant initiative aims to prepare students for in-demand careers accelerating their transition to work while also building and enduring education infrastructure to support a thriving Texas economy throughout the diverse regions of the state.

 

Navarro College offers a variety of continuing education in the areas of career training programs, professional development, allied health and medical classes, protective services classes, adult education & literacy and workforce education. For more information on continuing education opportunities offered at Navarro College please visit ce.navarrocollege.edu or contact the office at 972-923-6441.

 

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