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Three students sitting around laptops discuss their experience with virtual reality

Virtual Reality 9

Students in a criminal justice class at Penn State Harrisburg discuss what it was like to use virtual reality headsets to watch a video set inside a prison. Some said it felt immersive and more personal than a typical video.

A student talks with a group about using virtual reality headsets

Virtual reality 8

Students in a criminal justice class used virtual reality headsets to watch a video set inside a prison, then split into groups to discuss the experience. Shauntey James, assistant teaching professor of criminal justice at Penn State Harrisburg, asked them to think about how the experience felt and what they noticed in the video.

A screen shows criminal justice students' answers to a question about their experience using virtual reality

Virtual reality 7

After using virtual reality headsets to watch a VR video set inside a prison, criminal justice students at Penn State Harrisburg were asked what they thought of the experience and how it felt. 

Closeup of a student's hands holding a phone with a reflection question on the screen

Virtual reality 6

After using virtual reality headsets to watch a VR video set inside a prison, criminal justice students were asked to reflect on the experience.

A student wears a virtual reality headset and holds a controller in each hand

Virtual Reality 5

Students in a criminal justice class used virtual reality headsets to watch a video set inside a prison. The class then discussed the experience and how it connected with what they had been learning in class.

A classroom full of students wearing virtual reality headsets and holding the controllers

Virtual Reality 3

Students in two criminal justice classes taught by Shauntey James, assistant teaching professor of criminal justice at Penn State Harrisburg, recently used virtual reality headsets to experience the inside of a prison. The virtual reality headsets are available through the Center for Teaching Excellence.

A student adjusts a virtual reality headset that is strapped to his head

Virtual Reality 2

Students in a criminal justice class recently used virtual reality headsets to watch a VR video that gave them an inside look at a prison.

Sarah Kettell, programmer/analyst with the Center for Teaching Excellence at Penn State Harrisburg, points at a screen showing a diagram of virtual reality controllers.

Virtual Reality 1

Sarah Kettell, programmer/analyst with the Center for Teaching Excellence at Penn State Harrisburg, helps students in a criminal justice class learn to use virtual reality headsets.

Students in a classroom wearing virtual reality headsets
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Two criminal justice classes at Penn State Harrisburg recently used virtual reality headsets to help them experience what it might be like inside a prison. Using virtual reality gives the students a more immersive experience and exposes them to technology they might encounter outside of the classroom.