Mary showed "Out of the Box" thinking by integrating cutting-edge ideas and approaches for enhancing the active learning of her students. Augmented reality is an up-and-coming technology for improving teaching and learning of nursing and other healthcare students. Mary agreed to participate as an investigator and involve her class at the forefront of what will likely be a wave of change in resources for teaching and learning due to her commitment to preparing and educating our students in her courses in the best way possible to be highly qualified nurses. We not only developed augmented reality visualization of key concepts of the topics taught in her course but went further in creating interactive exercises for small groups to learn by engaging in scenarios where the effects of their critical thinking and choices could be immediately shown to them in 3D to reinforce their learning.

Through Mary's enthusiastic participation as an investigator of this study, we were able to propose the design of the study received high ratings from NIH reviewers and supported funding. Mary's involving her students in research first-hand exemplifies the benefits of what a prelicensure nursing program at an R1 level university can offer students. Students were able to provide feedback that has already had real impact on revisions to the initial program that was developed and trialed and will result in an improved product based on feedback from student users that will become available for other schools.

Mary was new to being an investigator in this type of study and enthusiastically agreed to participate even though AR was a very new concept for a nursing course when proposed. Her assistance was invaluable in developing the AR program and implementing the study successfully. She was a contributing and supportive member of the interdisciplinary team and worked well with the graduate RA. She persevered with the team when we were delayed in implementation which needed to be done in an in-person class by the need for remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was also key in assisting to modify the approach of the implementation to be more appropriate and responsive after we returned to campus after the pandemic.

In Mary’s own words:
The augmented reality video illustrations gave me the opportunity to illustrate and project the underlying pathophysiology of hypertension, acute coronary syndrome, and heart failure in the classroom as we were discussing the case studies. The video illustrations facilitated the learning process by providing students the opportunity to visualize the development of the cardiac disorder and see its effect on other body systems. Students felt it was an effective and interesting way to learn about pathophysiology.

Mary is an exceptional professor offering “Out of the Box” thinking to promote learning in her courses.