Bath Spa University Case Study

Bath Spa University harness virtual reality to deliver outstanding teacher training programmes.

Bath Spa is a teaching-led university, committed to promoting excellence, which is one of the many reasons why the Institute for Education is one of the highest rated providers of education in the UK.

Innovative teacher training solutions

Over the last few years, university applications have consistently dropped. Furthermore, student satisfaction rates have dipped with less that 40% of students believing their university course is providing value for money. Teaching professions are also facing retention challenges, and many new teachers lack confidence in classroom management. Bath Spa University realised an innovative approach to teacher training was required.

To provide an innovative training solution to support all teacher training programmes across the Institute for Education. The solution needed to address the main challenges of recruiting and retaining new students on their initial teacher training programmes, and to support additional learning for teachers in improving and excelling in classroom management.

100% of teachers said Immersion Studio was realistic, replicated a classroom, and they found it beneficial overall.

Immersion Studio provides the perfect environment to support teacher training, as the UKs first live virtual reality training tool.

Teachers can practice and perfect their techniques and build their confidence in a safe environment outside of the classroom. Participants master the complex interpersonal skills they need in their working lives, whether interacting with pupils and parents, or as their career progresses, leading teaching staff.

The virtual classroom build includes avatar pupils who have unique personalities, and the number of avatars and builds enables a wide variety of training scenarios. All the interactions are live, with simulators operating the avatars in real time. This allows participants to see the immediate effects of their actions, and test different approaches in handling situations in a realistic classroom environment without impacting on a real class.

As Immersion Studio is an online platform that requires no investment in software, the tool can be easily accessed both across the campus and offsite, which is crucial in supporting Bath Spa Institute of Education’s training and outreach programmes and partnerships with DfE and Chartered College.

Get in touch on 01270 449165 to find out more.