Virtual reality helping prison inmates improve their literacy skills

The University of Otago Information Science Department has been working with Methodist Mission Southern to develop an exciting new way of helping prison inmates to improve reading and writing skills. 

The resulting prototype has proved so successful, Animation Research Limited and Methodist Mission Southern are developing the concept into a commercial enterprise – with support from Ngāti Kahungunu.

Virtual reality (VR) uses computer technology to create a simulated environment. Instead of viewing a screen in front of them, users are immersed inside an experience and able to interact with three-dimensional worlds.

Methodist Mission Southern Business Development Leader Jimmy McLauchlan approached the Information Science group because they wanted to rethink the way literacy is taught to people who often fall through the cracks – particularly those in prison.

"A novel approach was needed, and we thought research and development may help us think outside the box," Mr McLauchlan explains.

PhD student Jonny Collins then brought the need and the technology together into a prototype virtual reality application using a setting that is both familiar and motivating to the learner - a simulated car workshop. Jonny worked together with Methodist Mission Southern to integrate educational content, and Dunedin company Animated Research Limited provided assistance with the panoramic environment.

The prototype is a 360-degree virtual world programme that involves car assembly in an automotive workshop. Consulting with an actual automotive repair business made sure the virtual world represents a realistic environment.

The prototype model has already been showcased at an education conference in Los Angeles with hopes that eventually this programme will be used in literacy and numeracy education with prisoners inside prisons across New Zealand.

The Dunedin City Council also recognised its potential, with some of the funding needed for the project coming from the GigCity Community Fund, set up to develop community, learning and workforce opportunities in Dunedin.

Head of the university's Information Science Department Professor Holger Regenbrecht says it’s already understood that people can learn another language through immersion, both in a real-world context and through using virtual reality technology.

"It was good for us to be able to test the idea that learning to read can also be achieved through virtual reality immersion in a specific setting targeted at a particular user group."

“This more interesting and relevant environment can help learning, and improved literacy skills for prisoners in this case improve rehabilitation and integration into the community,” Professor Regenbrecht says.

"It is expected that there will be significant international interest in virtual reality contextualised learning. I believe this immersion technology has the potential to revolutionise learning".

Professor Holger Regenbrecht