Counseling Students’ Experiences Viewing Virtual Reality Case Studies

Abstract

Virtual reality is a technological medium that provides a three-dimensional interactive environment in which individuals become immersed and, in some cases, manipulate the environment. This technology shows promise in applications with simulated educational experiences. Most of the applications discussed in the literature have involved medical training programs that attempted to use virtual reality for simulated patient-medical professional interactions. Research is lacking on the potential applications of virtual reality with counselor training. We applied virtual reality technology with counseling students at different points in their training programs and exposed them to virtual counseling situations. The participants in this phenomenological study indicated that simulated counseling situations felt more authentic than traditional role-plays and encouraged their use early in counselor training programs. Future applicability in counselor training, limitations, and research recommendations are discussed.

Virtual enhanced education in counselor education: Is this for real?

“…That said, innovations continue. For example, using virtual enhanced education in counselor education, Wilkinson and Bazile (2019) applied VR technology with counseling students at different points in their training programs and exposed them to virtual counseling situations. In their work, the students participated in simulated counseling scenarios recorded using 360 • video.…”

“…Despite its potential in education and training, there is limited research in counselor education regarding the utility of virtual technology as an andragogical strategy (Wilkinson & Bazile, 2019). Because virtual technologies are designed to support and enhance interactive learning (Dickey, 2005), future Math Alive-Uses AR software downloaded to a computer, a camera, and special cards (Raytheon, n.d.).…”

“…There seems to be a degree of uncertainty in the world of counselor education when it comes to the use of technology in education, as is evident by the slow integration of technology in counselor education and the limited existence of literature in this area (Cooper et al., 2017; Murphy et al., 2019; Wilkinson & Bazile, 2019). It may be helpful, then, to begin with a definition of each type of virtual enhanced education (VEE) and some suggestions about how to incorporate a layered approach to its deployment and use.…”

“…Despite its potential in education and training, there is limited research in counselor education regarding the utility of virtual technology as an andragogical strategy (Wilkinson & Bazile, 2019). Because virtual technologies are designed to support and enhance interactive learning (Dickey, 2005), future research should focus on how they can be integrated into courses and programs to assess the learning of counselors‐in‐training, with attention to knowledge and skills development.…”