Designing a Virtual Learning Platform for Enhanced Campus Epidemic Prevention: A VR Technology Approach

Abstract

The global pandemic caused by COVID-19 has brought about severe adverse impacts on university campuses worldwide. Some universities have started using virtual reality (VR) technology to design a virtual environment (VE) for effective infection prevention on campuses. VR is an innovative interactive technology in improving various virtual simulation fields. The utilization of VR technology’s computational design and engineering features facilitates seamless implementation of epidemic prevention education. This positively impacts students’ engagement and comprehension levels. The research aims to use VR technology to design a VE for campus epidemic prevention. The immersive interaction can attract the staff/students to explore and learn, bringing convenience to campus epidemic prevention. The novelty of the study is the design of a virtual learning platform for campus epidemic prevention practices. The platform includes several scenes: school gates, classrooms, food courts, and school-based health centers. The study carried out a user testing experiment involving 30 students to assess the effectiveness of epidemic prevention education. The study results show that the virtual tour can enhance the user experience without physical space restrictions. The study further suggests that the virtual learning platform proposed in the study will assist universities in improving campus infection prevention practices.