Virtual Reality Research: Design Virtual Education System for Epidemic (COVID-19) Knowledge to Public

Abstract

Advances in information and communication technologies have created a range of new products and services for the well-being of society. Virtual Reality (VR) technology has shown enormous potential in educational, commercial, and medical fields. The recent COVID-19 outbreak highlights a poor global performance in communicating epidemic knowledge to the public. Considering the potential of VR, the research starts from analyzing how to use VR technology to improve public education in COVID-19. The research uses Virtual Storytelling Technology (VST) to promote enthusiasm in user participation. A Plot-based VR education system is proposed in order to provide an immersive, explorative, educational experiences. The system includes three primary modules: the Tutorial Module, the Preparation Module, and the Investigation Module. To remove any potential confusion in the user, the research aims to avoid extremely complicated medical professional content and uses interactive, entertainment methods to improve user participation. In order to evaluate the performance efficiency of the system, we conducted performance evaluations and a user study with 80 participants. Compared with traditional education, the experimental results show that the VR education system can used as an effective educational tool for epidemic (COVID-19) fundamental knowledge. The VR technology can assist government agencies and public organizations to increase public understanding of the spread the epidemic (COVID-19).

Virtual Reality Applications in Medicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review

“…Fourth, a VR intervention using HMDs effectively increased COVID-19 vaccination intentions among unvaccinated young adults [ 69 ]. Fifth, VR, using desktop displays and HMDs, provided an effective educational tool for COVID-19 pandemic fundamental knowledge, increasing public understanding of the spread of the crisis [ 76 ].…”

“…Nineteen studies used a VR system with high immersion (ie, immersive VR), while 9 tested a system with low immersion (ie, desktop VR). Three studies adopted both immersive and desktop VR systems [ 72 , 74 , 76 ]. No study used semi-immersive VR systems ( Table 4 ).…”

“…In this systematic review, VR was also an effective educational tool for increasing public understanding and knowledge of the COVID-19 pandemic [ 76 ] and COVID-19 vaccination intentions [ 69 ]. This result, in line with previous literature [ 127 , 128 ], stresses the potential of VR as a useful and innovative tool for promoting scientific and medical knowledge among the general population.…”

Psychoeducation on Stress and Anxiety Using Virtual Reality: A Mixed-Methods Study

“…Furthermore, VR is considered an effective and innovative tool for promoting scientific and medical knowledge among the general population. For example, recently, this technology was used to increase public understanding and knowledge of the COVID-19 pandemic [78,79].…”

Application of VR Technology to the Training of Paramedics

“…On the contrary, several authors see the virtual world as a future or a new uprising for some industries, such as museums or galleries, thus supporting artists [2,3]. It is the virtual world that can provide us with a sense of everyday life, despite the current impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, when attendance at several social events or cultural events is limited or completely canceled [3,4].…”