Brief Research

 Hypothesis

A Narrative (Cinematic) HMD VR Immersive experience is more effective than other modes of TEL Delivery because experiential, interactive, open-ended exploration leads to highly effective knowledge acquisition, retention and application in practice, when engaging with story-based mental health learning content. 

more effective than passive learning. 

supports training practitioners knowledge acquisition, retention and application of challenging mental health topics (Example opioid addiction) learning content more effectively


Research Question

Can HMD VR Environments be designed to safely immerse mental Healthcare practitioners in learning experience that explores challenging mental health topics more effectively than alternative modes of delivery ? 


Trauma and Safe Immersion 

HMD VR (Cinematic) Narrative Design 


Research Location  

Located in the triangulation between : 

1. TEL Design : Mental Healthcare and Wellbeing Training and Development 

2. Games Design : HMD VR Environment and Level Design

3. Spatial Design : Natural and Urban Environment Design 


Research Literature 

1. Academic Literature:  2017 - 2022 (Google Scholar/AcademiaEdu/Researchnet/IEEE)

2. Grey Literature : Games Development Conference Presentations (GDC)

3. Mental Healthcare TEL Research (NHS/HEE/LPT) 

4. HMD VR Games / Apps 


Research Questions

Can HMD VR deliver Mental Health and Well-being Narrative-based Training more effectively than alternative modes of TEL delivery ? 


HMD VR Brief

Design and Develop a Narrative-Based HMD VR Prototype App that engages with the topic of Substance Abuse ( Opioid Addiction ) aimed at healthcare professionals working in the mental Healthcare and wellbeing services. The app Development will compare, evaluate and test multiple modes of TEL Delivery.  


Practice-Based Research Methodology 


Comparative Research Tool Instructional Project 

Identifying the causes, symptoms and effect of Opioid Addiction on patients and their families as well as their friends and families.


Natural Open spaces support positive affects 


HMD VR Brief Research 

Identifying the causes, symptoms and effect of Opioid Addiction on patients and their families as well as their friends and families.


Popular posts from this blog

Ai Video : Safeguarding children

 I don’t think about AI as artificial intelligence but more as Computational Statistics (CS). I was thinking that AI or rather Machine Learning (ML) could be deployed to acquire (CS) about a players safety preferences such as the point at which they feel comfortable in proximity to other players etc.. in order for an optimal distance be placed between players for example… and in so doing automate an aspect of safeguarding in virtually real social spaces.  But, the following video offers the very dark and disturbing application of CS, and the dangerous safeguarding consequences thereof in parents posting data about their children online. WARNING ; The video is impactful and has triggers relating to child protection.  https://youtu.be/Yaa6-UZRMD8?si=-5oGurHicN0nmbky
Read more

Does the design of VR environments affect the mental health of players/learners?

Image
  During the pandemic, I was very thankful to living where I live in the heart of the welland valley; a heartbeat away from open green spaces, rolling hills, brooks and valleys. I was able to get out daily and walk the dog, which greatly helped.  Approaching a research methodology    In thinking about my own experience, and those I talk with in a personal and professional capacity; I am acutely aware of maintaining objectivity in a research process. This is challenging to do, but is possible when taking an academic approach.  I am not an expert in mental health but I do know how to construct a virtual environment. My claim to authority is that I have been researching immersion and using virtual tools since 2007. I can construct a virtual experiences using unity game engine and can compare virtual environments with those I have worked in, in the natural world. I do so to  examine things like spatial human interaction and navigation while experimenting with, and thinking about how I use,
Read more

Users perspective

To experience challenging narrative in a safe way, I am thinking about design decisions that would positively support the affects of protection, agency and control. Decision that foucs on how to protect the  learner from the negative affects of the experience. Considering things like ‘prospect and refuge’ in addition to or instead of, user interface design.  I will need to consider Narrative and how this is directed by the VR Environment design, considering any negative consequences if the immersion on the player. I am initially thinking about two design solutions that would create a ‘safe space’ for the player and also allow the player to exit the screen immediately they no longer want to be there, so for example adding a visible UI that includes an emergency exit button (other than removing the HMD). This may afford the player a sense of safe detachment and agency to control their experience. 
Read more