First responders’ innovative methodology and curriculum definition for advanced virtual reality training

Year 2022, Volume: 2 Issue: 4, 167 - 178, 17.10.2022

Zeynep Sofuoğlu Débora Pérez Robles Eric Didderen Federico Rodrigo Carjaval Turhan Sofuoğlu Aysel Başer Jóhanna Noraly Veeneklaas

Abstract

Within the ASSISTANCE Project (Adapted Situation Awareness Tools and Tailored Training Scenarios for Increasing the Capabilities and Enhancing the Protection of First Responders) the development of a novel and advanced training programme is currently underway to adapt to the needs and characteristics of first responders. Once the methodology was ready, a complete training curriculum was prepared in order to probe the concept of the European training network based on online Virtual Reality platforms. The curriculum is composed of subjects, which have been developed with a stepwise approach, taking into consideration the pre-requisites needed for each subject and a gradual increase in difficulty and complexity. These subjects can be divided into two different types: theoretical subjects, which will be taught through the Moodle server and practical subjects, which will be taught through the performance of different virtual scenarios with the available Virtual Reality platforms. Each subject definition includes a short summary of the subject, their main, general and specific objectives as well as their preferred evaluation method and the pre-requisites needed. This paper presents the ASSISTANCE training methodology and the curriculum developed including the preliminary scheduling needed to complete all the proposed subjects.

Keywords

First responders, virtual reality training, curriculum development, step wise approach, androgogy

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