How to Determine the Number of VR Headsets Needed for UbiSim in Your Institution

UbiSim offers a revolutionary virtual reality platform tailored for nursing education, enhancing training with realistic simulations. Selecting the right number of VR headsets is crucial for effective implementation, and this guide aims to help you make an informed decision.

Considerations When Determining the Number of Headsets

1. Understanding Usage Needs

1. Number of Concurrent Users: Estimate headset needs based on the number of students using UbiSim at the same time. Consider class sizes and concurrent usage to avoid bottlenecks.
2. Frequency of Use: Assess how often UbiSim will be used—daily, weekly, or sporadically. More frequent use requires more headsets to maintain smooth operation as these run on batteries.

2. Teaching Methods

1. Different Teaching Methods: Peer-to-peer, facilitator-led, or multiplayer scenarios impact the number of headsets needed. Plan for the most headset-intensive scenarios so you can enjoy flexibility.

3. Spatial and Technical Considerations

1. Space Requirements: Each active participant requires a 7’x7’ area to ensure safety and comfortable usability. Your available space may limit the number of stations.
2. Technical Support: UbiSim’s robust support system allows you to efficiently manage headsets. Also consider your personal support capabilities when deciding on your headset count.

4. Strategic Planning

1. Pedagogical Goals: Align the number of headsets with your educational objectives. Ensure that your technology setup supports all intended learning outcomes.
2. Sustainability and Growth: Plan for future expansion in program size and technological updates. Buying additional headsets upfront can be more cost-effective than frequent upgrades.
3. Budgeting: Balance between the desired number of headsets and the available funds.

Our Lead Nurse Educator, Christine Vogel, MSN, RN, CHSE, CHSOS, developed a chart specific to UbiSim to help guide you, but individual needs may differ.

Final Thoughts

UbiSim intrinsically values providing personalized assessment preparation tied to a unique and individual student license. In UbiSim, each student will participate in both informal and formal assessment practices that are archived in the UbiSim web portal. The VR performance and all the assessment models will be collated within the individual student account. UbiSim empowers students to improve their competencies in clinical training, judgment, and reasoning. And as an additional reinforcement, instructors can access all the performance data, uniquely tied to each student profile, post-VR session. 

Carefully review your institutional needs using these guidelines to choose the appropriate number of VR headsets. If you’re still not sure, contact our team, and we’d be happy to help you decide!