OER in VR: SDSU's Open Virtual Immersive Teaching and Learning Resource Library

Historically, San Diego State University (SDSU) faculty and leadership focused on development of the open educational resources (OER) that were designed to replace or supplement traditional learning materials, such as textbooks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, SDSU’s approach pivoted to open and affordable materials to replace and supplement face-to-face lab experiences through virtual lab resources. The OER virtual assets were developed using a process called photogrammetry and hosted via an open online repository that enables students to view and manipulate the models via a web browser, mobile device, or using a VR headset. The rapid transition to remote instruction in March 2020 meant all anatomy instructors at SDSU had to find alternatives to using physical specimens, at which point the open virtual anatomy resources became immediately more relevant. As one instructor recalls, “For students to be able to look at the various parts and really get a feel for what they’re looking at, they need to see it in a three-dimensional format; therefore, I’ve always been exceptionally strong about the idea that anatomy needs to be taught where you can hold it. I always thought of the virtual models more as a supplement until COVID-19, and then it became so much more relevant.” SDSU is now developing an open platform to make these OER virtual anatomy resources available to the 400,000+ students enrolled within the California State University system—and beyond!