CLIENT: Dr. Joyce Zhou, Business Marketing Chair at Emporia State University

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NEED:  MK462: Integrated Marketing Communication Course. Dr. Zhou was looking for the following adoptions to add to her online course:

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• High Impact Learning

• Hands-on Experience

• Service Learning Opportunities

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Research Question: "Do you think virtual reality (VR) technology is something we can use in my undergraduate marketing course to teach students the concepts of developing immersive marketing applications and points of sale?"

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ROLES: Dr. Joyce Zhou served as the faculty lead. I served as the Instructional Designer for the project. Information Technology was also an integral part as they provided the financial backing of the equipment needed.

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DESCRIPTION: Students were asked to build mobile and web VR applications to highlight local businesses such as the Flinthills Mall, an arts nonprofit called Kansas Free for Arts and the Emporia Presbyterian Manor Nursing Home. Throughout the projects, students utilized a number of different skills as they pitch the businesses on the value of VR, carry out creative 360-degree photography and audio capture, and manage distribution and promotion. As VR becomes a more integral part of businesses overall, the students will be equipped to show future employers their unique skills in this emerging field.

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PROCESS:

1. Project Charter (includes risks, deliverables, timelines, responsible parties and specific criteria needed to co mplete project). Charter also included a RACI matrix (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed).

2. Technology order placed after VPAT and Security testing completed in partnership with IT.

3. Three meetings with Dr. Zhou to determine best practices for implementing VR with content. Dr. Zhou located business and assigned students to each group.

4. Two meetings with students during class via Zoom; first meeting to introduce equipment and second meeting to demonstrate how to build mobile application. These meetings were offered multiple times for online learners to provide flexibility.

5. Virtual Showcase, students demonstrated VR projects via Zoom to business partners.

6. Presentation made to the Provost Council by Dr. Joyce Zhou and myself. We also submitted proposals to present our findings and results are many conferences.

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OUTCOMES:

1. Increased student retention in Outcome 3, 4 and 7 of MK462 by 9%.

2. Increased student satisfaction and engagement in the online learning environment

3. Created new business partnerships within the community which opened doors for student internships and job shadowing opportunities.

4. Media attention from several research publications including Educause, EdScoop and InstaVR.

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