CAVE 2 Hybrid Reality Environment: Teaching clinical skills using simulation and visualization technologies

The term CAVE is an acronym for CAVE Automatic Virtual Environment. Originally developed by the Electronic Visualisation Laboratory (EVL) at the University of Illinois in Chicago, CAVE 2 creates a 320 degree 3D wraparound virtual environment that provides an immersive learning experience that enhances perception and results in deeper and faster understanding. Learning is enhanced by images that match the clarity and resolution of the human eye. The sense of being able to “touch” what is not there coupled with tracking systems within the structure that allow students to move about and view images from different perspectives, creates a learning environment that is very different to traditional approaches. How this leading-edge technology is being used at the University of XXX to teach anatomy and physiology, clinical skills in Nursing and complex system design in Engineering will be presented. This will include pedagogical approaches utilised to support learning, highlight the challenges of using this new technology, lessons learnt and recommendations for future development. The presentation will be of interest to academics seeking to incorporate simulation and visualisation teaching methods in curricula. The content of this presentation is transferable to other disciplines