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    Maria College is the first in the Capital Region to integrate VR into the Nursing Curriculum to develop student clinical competencies

    Transforming Nursing Education from Classwork to Clinical

    As the Capital Region’s largest provider of nursing graduates, Maria College is enhancing its program to produce more practice-ready nurses, equipped with advanced skills and compassion.

    Virtual reality is part of Maria’s clinical competency development process, which includes foundational course work, skills lab, virtual reality immersive scenarios, hi-fidelity simulations and finally, application of knowledge and skills in clinical experiences at area healthcare institutions.  This innovative multi-step approach helps students develop clinical competency and confidence necessary to provide skilled, empathetic care, which allows them to build therapeutic relationships with patients.  

    Introducing The Mobile Virtual Reality Lab (MVRL)

    The mobile Virtual Reality Lab (MVRL) is a high-tech, scalable van project that brings advanced healthcare training and demonstrations to locations across the region. Equipped with VR headsets, simulation stations, and portable servers, the MVRRL can set up in parking lots, rural community centers,  and other areas where traditional training facilities don’t exist.

     

    • What is XR, VR and AR?
      What is Extended Reality (XR)? Extended Reality (XR) is an umbrella term encompassing immersive technologies like Virtual Reality
       
      Virtual Reality (VR) places users inside a fully simulated, 3D environment, creating a true sense of spatial reality.
       
      Augmented Reality (AR) overlays digital information onto the real world, enhancing rather than replacing reality.
    • Bridging the Gap with AI
      As if that isn’t enough, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is adding another level to the Center for Academic Innovation’s ability to revolutionize educational opportunity for individual students. It’s able to adapt to specific needs with personalized feedback through tailored learning paths, AI can provide the ultimate 24/7 support with customized learning, in real time,
      a bridge between faculty support and VR that brings interactive, immersive lessons to life with intelligent encounters and reactions.
       
      A tool making learning more adaptable and efficient across all disciplines. AI is able to deliver more realistic interactive learning at every turn, with the added feature of personalized instruction. Lessons where the psychology student can engage with a patient enduring a realistic, complex mental health condition like schizophrenia; the future social worker can practice interventions with reactive results. The business major can explore alternate solutions and pivot through conflicts.

      Just a few examples of how AI can help make education more accessible, efficient, and effective while simultaneously preparing students for a technology-driven future in every field.
    • A Vision of Continued Momentum
      As Maria College continues to expand its reach and resources, the Center for Academic Innovation is poised to be an evolving factor in accomplishing our mission in the community and beyond, improving access, education, and opportunity – not only in healthcare education – but in the broader field of technology literacy.
       
      By leveraging this technology we aim to fundamentally transform how occupational therapy is taught and practiced. “Momentumiskey,”Dr. Coley reflects. “We’ve already made significant strides, but we’re not stopping here.”
       
      Every investment made is about keeping Maria’s forward motion—improving access, enhancing education, and ultimately preparing students to continue leading in their fields. Because in an exponentially advancing age of technology, ensuring our students are on the leading edge is more important than ever.

    Transforming Healthcare Education

    Founded by Dr. Wendy Trevor and led by Dr. Jason Coley, the Center for Academic Innovation (CAI) is driving Maria College forward with cutting-edge technology. Featuring over 1,000 square feet of Extended Reality (XR) space, CAI is revolutionizing how students in nursing, anatomy, physiology, and human biology engage with learning—now and into the future.

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    Transforming Healthcare Education

    Founded by Dr. Wendy Trevor and led by Dr. Jason Coley, the Center for Academic Innovation (CAI) is driving Maria College forward with cutting-edge technology. Featuring over 1,000 square feet of Extended Reality (XR) space, CAI is revolutionizing how students in nursing, anatomy, physiology, and human biology engage with learning—now and into the future.

    Read More
    Close

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