A Collaborative Series with the University of Oxford

In 2018, we began working on a collaborative project with the University of Oxford. Its aim was to release a 10-part series of lectures in virtual reality. These lectures would represent the diversity of studies at Oxford University. The series would be available to the public as free online introductory courses (MOOCs) on the ENGAGE platform. We were thrilled when the opportunity to collaborate with the University of Oxford arose. With over 900 years of educational experience, Oxford University is recognized for its remarkable course diversity and its ability to rapidly change which allows the university to stay globally competitive. It is this commitment to advancement that led us to this virtual lecture series.

The Future: Immersive Lectures

Our ultimate goal for the ENGAGE platform is to change how educational content is delivered globally. In today’s world of technology, sitting in a classroom doesn’t make sense anymore when you can actively be immersed and experience. This goal combines with the University of Oxford’s commitment to adjusting to the future. Virtual reality has the power to transform the future of education. The benefits of VR in education and training are now being discovered. It is well-known humans learn by interacting. They derive and retain information from their environment. Virtual reality-based learning provides an immersive teaching method that allows users to interact with the environments around them. Memory retention increases when learning through experience. It allows students to experience abstract concepts, opening up many possibilities that did not previously exist.

Radiotherapy 101

The first lecture, Radiotherapy 101 does just that. Martin Christlieb, from the Department of Oncology at Oxford University, can show us through immersive effects how the use of x-rays can target the tumors. Originally we would have learned this through flat 2D diagrams, but through VR we can see how these effects make this more memorable, thus producing a better understanding of the research.

Martin Christlieb works in the Department of Oncology at the University of Oxford. This department is responsible for doing cancer research and focuses specifically on radiotherapy treatment to cure different cancers. This 20-minute lecture gives a brief overview of the application of x-rays and other forms of radiation to cure cancer.