Giving Compass' Take:

• Sapna Parikh explains how VR is being used to train social workers to better prepare them before they interact with real cases. 

• What are the advantages and limitations of this application of VR? How can the impact of VR content be maximized? 

• Learn how VR can help prepare inmates for life outside of prison. 

A new virtual reality simulation of New York City is helping social work students practice in the virtual world before heading into the real thing.

“It’s convenient but it’s also a safe way to explore the area,” says Nikki Vega, a student at the New York University’s Silver School of Social Work.

Nicholas Lanzieri, a clinical assistant professor of social work at NYU, created the virtual training program and says he and his colleagues are researching the results and planning to expand the demos to other boroughs of NYC.

“I’m always excited about using different technologies to really tap into learning styles and help students acquire information in different ways,” Lanzieri says.

Read the full article about VR for social worker training by Sapna Parikh at Futurity.