Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president, attended the event and was the first to try out the technology at the open house.
“This technology will set our social work department apart from others,” Cunningham said. “It gives our students an advantage in developing skills in real-life situations. New technologies are going to help our students learn a new environment and I am proud of Dr. Rehder for embracing this technology with her faculty and students.”
This facility was made possible through a $40,000 grant by the Child Welfare Professional Enhancement Program (CWPEP) Student Payback Funds Grant awarded nearly a year ago. Dr. Kylene Rehder, social work department chair, authored the grant and is thrilled to bring innovative educational methods to students of Northwestern.
“A project of this caliber requires the support of innovation, and the Department of Social Work is grateful to an administration committed to academic excellence and embracing the role of technology in the educational process,” Rehder said. “Simulation training is a well-established feature in professional practice programs, and the department is proud to utilize cutting edge VR technology to advance skills and produce more qualified and competent social workers in the field.”
Jennifer Pribble, assistant professor of social work and director of field experience, serves as the VR lab coordinator and directs all experiential and simulations experiences for social work students.
“I am proud to have had the opportunity to help develop the virtual reality lab at Northwestern and look forward to implementing the new technology into curriculum with social work students. The ability to immerse students into practice-like experiences allows them an additional way to develop social work skills before practicum placements,” Pribble said.
The Social Work Virtual Reality Lab and Resource Center was funded by the University of Oklahoma’s Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work on behalf of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) to assist in retaining quality social workers in the public child welfare system.
“We would like to express our appreciation to the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work at the University of Oklahoma and OKDHS for their tremendous support of this project and thank everyone who attended our open house,” Rehder said.
For more information about the department, please contact Rehder at (580) 327-8135 or kdrehder@nwosu.edu.
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CONTACT FOR RELEASE
Erin Davis, University Relations Specialist
eedavis@nwosu.edu; 580-327-8480