Virtual Reality in the Hankamer School of Business
What is Virtual Reality?
Virtual Reality (VR) is an immersive technology that places users inside interactive, three-dimensional environments using headsets and motion sensors. It allows people to explore, engage, and learn through lifelike simulations that feel real—whether they're walking through a factory, practicing a presentation, or experiencing a global business scenario from anywhere in the world.
VR in Business Education
Virtual Reality is transforming how business students learn by offering immersive, interactive experiences that go far beyond traditional lectures and textbooks. Here's how it's currently being used in business schools:
- Simulate Real-World Business Environments – put your students in realistic business settings
- Enhance Experiential Learning - instead of passively absorbing information, students can engage directly with virtual scenarios
- Conduct Immersive Case Studies – bring traditional case studies to life through VR
- Improve Soft Skills Like Public Speaking, Sales and Negotiation – VR allows students to practice these skills in front of realistic virtual audiences
How is Hankamer Currently Using VR?
We currently have 25 Meta Quest 3 headsets available to faculty/staff. Additional headsets can be supplemented by the Baylor Libraries. The HSB is currently using VR for the following, but is also actively exploring other ways to use this technology:
- Managerial Accounting Virtual Field Trips for nearly a thousand students each school year – students use the VR headsets to observe production lines and workflows, understand cost allocation and overhead, explore inventory management and quality control, and connect theoretical accounting principles to practical operations
Management Department Research in the field of Human Resources – Sara Perry, who is leading this research details their experiment below:
"We are conducting a lab experiment on breaks that people can take from work, to assess physiological effects of each type of break on the participants. The objective of this first study is to assess which type of break is most restorative. This is the first in a series of studies to better understand effects of work breaks on individual restoration and well-being, as well as workplace behaviors. One of the breaks we are testing is a “sitting in nature” condition which we are simulating with the VR headset. This is a notable multidisciplinary collaboration with researchers in Communications, Psychology, and Business, and which involves a team of approximately 8 students getting valuable research experience (along with a paid job and/or class credit), positioning them very well for their future graduate school journeys and careers."
What are some future potential uses of VR in the HSB?
The HSB is looking for more opportunities to partner with faculty, staff and students on the use of VR in the HSB. Here are a couple of potential options for future VR use:
- Virtual Speech – We are really excited about the opportunity for faculty to develop and employ this fully-customizable, hands-on soft skills platform. Through its use, students will gain valuable, real-world skills that will help prepare them for their future careers. Secondarily this platform may provide professional development opportunities for faculty and staff in areas like public speaking, conducting and improving team meetings and communication, and leadership skills.
- Custom 360-degree Video Experiences – The HSB Technology Center has invested in a 360-degree camera for capturing immersive VR experiences. We’re happy to partner with faculty and local businesses to create custom virtual reality field trips in any location we can gain access to. Let’s work together to create a solution that’s customized to you!
Why VR Matters
VR transforms passive learning into active engagement, preparing students for complex, real-world challenges with cutting-edge tools, while also providing opportunities for faculty and staff professional development. Let us help you incorporate VR into your programs in an effort to provide unique learning opportunities that may give our students a competitive advantage in their chosen professions.
Partner with us in your VR endeavors by contacting the HSB Technology Center at 254.710.3951 or hsbtc@baylor.edu
Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have
