Team-Based Learning in the Meta Horizon Workroom: A Pilot Study on Its Potential Effectiveness for Pharmacology...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Virtual Reality
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Team-based learning (TBL) is a key pedagogical approach in medical education.
• Immersive technologies like Meta Horizon Workroom (MHW) offer new avenues for TBL.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of MHW in pharmacology education is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of Meta Horizon Workroom (MHW) for team-based learning (TBL) in pharmacology.
• To evaluate student engagement, collaboration, and learning within a virtual reality environment.
• To explore the potential of MHW as an innovative tool in medical education.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving Year 4 medical students at Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS).
• Participants used Meta Quest 2 virtual reality (VR) headsets for a virtual TBL session in MHW.
• Data collected via Likert-scale and open-ended questions, analyzed using descriptive and thematic methods.

Main Results:

• 5 out of 7 participants found MHW TBL more engaging than traditional methods.
• 6 out of 7 participants considered MHW a potential "game-changer" for pharmacology education.
• Qualitative feedback highlighted benefits of interactive tools, peer learning, and resource accessibility, despite some technical issues.

Conclusions:

• Meta Horizon Workroom (MHW) demonstrates transformative potential for pharmacology education through immersive, collaborative VR experiences.
• Integrating VR into medical education, specifically MHW, shows significant promise for enhancing learning.
• Addressing technical challenges is necessary to fully leverage the benefits of MHW in educational settings.