Taking work integrated learning online using the 4DVirtualFarm and DookieVR

Taking work integrated learning online using the 4DVirtualFarm and DookieVR

Dr Stuart Barber – Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences
Dr Samantha Marangell – Melbourne Graduate School of Education

Providing students with industry-based experience through work integrated learning (WIL) is a growing component of many university degrees.  In an Australian veterinary science degree, students must complete the equivalent of 12 weeks of extramural WIL placement in the preclinical part of their degree.  COVID-19 stopped any physical placements being available in 2020.  To ensure students could continue, virtual WIL placements were created at two properties in northern Victoria.  Images collected in 360 degrees through time in the 4DVirtualFarm and DookieVR allowed students to move across the farm from paddock to paddock and through season to season.  All students were invited to provide feedback via a survey at the end of each week.  Each day students were involved in submitting real-world examples of learning and provided feedback to separate groups on their submissions.  The presentation covers the overall design of the weeks of WIL and reviews early outputs from student feedback.

This Zoom presentation was part of the Melbourne CSHE Teaching and Learning Conference 2021 held on Tuesday 1 June 2021.