At the Rotthalmünster vocational school for nursing the aim of the loan was to give nursing educators structured access to immersive technologies and to test their potential for nursing training in a practical setting. An accompanying introduction to VR technology formed the basis for the independent use of the devices in the classroom.
The introduction focused on familiarizing participants with the technical handling and the available virtual learning environments. Teachers were given an overview of the basic functions of the headsets, navigation in virtual space, and didactic applications in a school context. Throughout the loan period, they had the opportunity to flexibly integrate virtual reality into different teaching settings and gain their own experience with immersive learning formats.
Anselm Stadler, research assistant at the VR Lab at OTH Regensburg, emphasized: “The loan period of several weeks gives teachers the necessary space not only to try out virtual reality, but also to think ahead in terms of teaching and embed it in existing teaching concepts.”
Prof. Dr. Christa Mohr, head of the Laboratory for Nursing Research at OTH Regensburg, added: “Longer trial phases in particular are crucial for realistically assessing the added value of digital learning spaces and gaining well-founded impetus for the further development of nursing education.” The experience gained during the six weeks will be incorporated into the further project work of VReduMED.
Two teachers from the Rotthalmünster nursing school showed great interest in the virtual learning environments. At 12.12.2025 together with Anselm Stadler, research assistant at the VR Lab at OTH Regensburg, and Cheryl Heinz, student assistant at the VR Lab, as well as Sabrina Grünleitner, principal of the nursing school and M.A. in nursing education, and teacher Hannes Matthei, they discussed technical details and possible scenarios for use in the classroom and tested the applications.
At 18.12.2025 the project team visited the vocational school for nursing and nursing assistance in Straubing run by the Barmherzige Brüder St. Elisabeth to supervise the six-week loan of virtual reality headsets and accessories. Teachers from the nursing school took part in an introductory session that enabling them to start using VR technology independently in the classroom.
The focus was on the practical handling of the headsets and the available virtual learning environments. The present teachers tested the applications themselves, gained insights into basic functions, and discussed possible didactic application scenarios in a school context.
Anselm Stadler, research assistant at the VR Lab at OTH Regensburg, emphasized: “The loan program makes it possible to test VR realistically in everyday school life.” Prof. Dr. Christa Mohr, head of the Laboratory for Nursing Research at OTH Regensburg, added: “Personal experience is crucial for a well-founded evaluation of digital learning formats.”.
Three teachers from the Straubing Nursing School showed great interest in the virtual learning environments. Together with Anselm Stadler, research assistant at the VR Lab at OTH Regensburg, and Cheryl Heinz, student assistant at the VR Lab, they took part in the introduction to VR technology.
At 07.01.2026 the project team was on site at Berufsschule 7 Nürnberg to accompany the six-week loan of Virtual Reality headsets, including the necessary accessories. Teaching staff from the nursing school participated in an introductory session designed to enable an independent and confident use of VR technology in classroom teaching, thereby establishing the foundation for a practice-oriented trial under real school conditions.
The focus was placed on the practical handling of the headsets as well as on the available virtual learning environments. The participating teachers tested the applications themselves, gained insights into core functionalities, and discussed potential didactic use cases within the school context.
In this regard, Anselm Stadler, research associate at the VR Lab of OTH Regensburg, emphasized that “the loan enables VR to be tested realistically within everyday school practice.”
In addition, Christa Mohr, Head of the Nursing Research Lab at OTH Regensburg, highlighted the importance of hands-on experience, noting that “first-hand experience is essential for a well-founded evaluation of digital learning formats.”
Three teachers from the Nürnberg Nursing School showed great interest in the virtual learning environments. Together with Anselm Stadler, research assistant at the VR Lab at OTH Regensburg, they took part in the introduction to VR technology.