3D Health Cinema takes learning to a new dimension
The School of Pharmacy at Keele University has developed a new 'Health Cinema' for use on its programmes.
The 5.2 metre x 2.8 metre screen and visualisation facility has been designed for specific teaching and learning requirements of Pharmacy’s undergraduate and postgraduate courses. With a seating capacity of 133, the Health Cinema allows for large groups of students to use 3D molecular modelling and anatomy simulation software.
The £120,000 investment has redesigned the Mackinder Theatre space in Keele's Hornbeam Building, to provide cinema-grade projection facilities that can use both 2D and 3D to support students in their learning of key concepts on Pharmacy courses.
Professor Nigel Ratcliffe, Head of the School of Pharmacy, commented:
“Keele University School of Pharmacy continues to ensure that its teaching methods and facilities are at the leading edge. Keele has for many years led in the use of avatars and 3D animation for simulation. This investment enables the best visual projections possible of complex molecules and anatomy to aid the students’ understanding and learning experience.”
The Health Cinema uses computer generated 3D models with software that is developed by the School of Pharmacy’s Digital team. Active glasses and stereoscopic 3D allow all viewers in the Health Cinema to see the 3D projection wherever they are in the lecture theatre.
Luke Bracegirdle, Head of Digital & Business Analytics for the School of Pharmacy, explained,
“3D modelling can be a valuable tool in enhancing students’ understanding of key concepts. In one study into the use of 3D virtual environments in teaching we have seen a 9% uplift in the group mean for assessed grades for students using 3D. One of the reasons we’ve created the Health Cinema is so that more students can access and benefit from 3D modelling facilities when best applied in our course programmes.”
The new 3D cinema adds to other pharmacy-designed teaching facilities, including the Keele Active Virtual Environment (KAVE) and Clinical Skills Suite, which for 2016 will use a new Augmented Reality app to display virtual patients in the physical simulation rooms. This immersive training environment allows students to practice patient diagnostic and communication skills, with support from tutors.
The Health Cinema is also availble to hire for external events. Please contact our Conferences and Events team for further information conferences@keele.ac.uk or tel: 01782 732020
Take a 360° tour of the new Health Cinema facility in our film: