Immersive Learning in Pharmacy Education 
Bringing Discussion-Style Teaching Into the Classroom

The immersive learning model developed by PCOM School of Pharmacy creates an interactive learning environment in which students are empowered to learn by interaction with colleagues and the instructors.

“Immersive learning encourages students to engage their senses, allowing them to watch, listen, and interact within the learning experience,” Sharma explained.

PCOM School of Pharmacy faculty created this immersive learning experience for pharmaceutical sciences and basic biomedical science subjects. The teaching plan incorporates a variety of media and encourages students to engage in clinical case-based, problem-based or concept-based discussions. These discussions include both faculty-to-student discussions and student-to-student discussions. Classroom seating arrangements are designed so that faculty can reach any student with just a few steps in order to better facilitate faculty-student interactions.

“All instructors plan to solve students’ problems and questions, but that infrequently happens in classrooms and more after midterm exams,” Sharma said. “Immersive learning assists the instructors in helping students with their problems and questions proactively.”

According to Sharma, the immersive learning environment has resulted in positive feedback from students and faculty.

“Our learners have commented that it really works,” Sharma said. “They have embraced the interactive learning style and say it also helps them perform when they go out on rotations.”

Faculty, he added, have observed improvements in student performance.

“Immersive learning provides an opportunity for the instructors to take complicated concepts and help make them easy to grasp and understand,” Sharma said.

PCOM School of Pharmacy Dean Shawn Spencer, PhD, RPh, said immersive learning helps concepts come together for students.

“Our learners get exposure to these difficult concepts using real-world scenarios, to create those ‘ah-ha’ moments. I believe it helps students to see the value in what they are learning,” Spencer said.

The immersive learning model also helps faculty meet their goals.

“The main objectives of instructors are to train future pharmacists and encourage them to learn the nuances of the pharmacy profession, so the more we're able to do that, the more we enjoy it and the easier it becomes to achieve our objective,” Sharma explained. “The immersive learning model also helps to inculcate critical thinking and professional abilities among students.”

While the model provides clear benefits, faculty must continue to seek innovative and efficient solutions to engage and educate their students.

“It is not more complicated for us, but faculty must explore available resources that can be used effectively without losing classroom time,” Sharma said.

By continuing to focus on innovative teaching methods, Sharma and other PCOM School of Pharmacy faculty are working to instill a desire in students to grow and improve the profession of pharmacy.

“I would say it makes you fall in love with learning pharmacy and wanting to be the best that you can be because you see where and how it helps people,” Sharma said. “It also creates a very collegial environment in class. In pharmacy, you have to interact with physicians and nurses and patients, so it also helps students come out of their shell if they have always preferred to remain in the background.”