Virginia State University to Introduce Online Course on Logistics

Virginia State University’s (VSU) Department of Engineering and Technology has engaged LeanForward to develop a three dimensional (3D) virtual warehouse to integrate virtual and mixed reality simulations into the university’s online laboratories for distance education students enrolled in the industrial and logistics technology program.

The virtual warehouse will provide students with convenient access to a virtual hands-on learning experience, thereby enabling them to learn and test their knowledge on warehouse order management and tracking whenever and wherever they have Internet access. It is believed that this type of video-game style simulation will enable online students to achieve levels of knowledge equal to that achieved through traditional hands on lab experience.

Upon successfully demonstrating the viability of this innovative teaching tool, the department intends to expand the web-based environment to cover a wider range of logistics and distribution concepts. In the long-term, the virtual warehouse will provide distance education students with the identical laboratory explorations provided to face-to-face students.

VSU’s Department of Engineering and Technology is providing the content for the targeted learning outcomes while LeanForward is providing the computer-based Instructional Design expertise to develop the storyboard as well as the Instructional Technology to drive the gaming simulation. Students will be able to explore the virtual warehouse using an avatar to learn about efficient warehouse layouts and practices. They will also be able to interact with the 3D elements within the warehouse to gain valuable experiential knowledge about distribution and logistics. Students will then receive instructional feedback about their performance.

“Incorporating virtual/mixed reality and cyber-learning into our degree programs will enable us to provide our students with highly engaging and effective online learning tools.” said Dr. Keith Williamson, Chairman, VSU Department of Engineering and Technology. “This prototype will also help VSU support the Virginia Logistics Research Center, a high-tech logistics research and development center that will be incorporating modeling and simulation as one of its core capabilities.”

The Virginia Logistics Research Center is a collaborative research, economic development and workforce development initiative between regional and municipal governments, Ft. Lee, the Defense Supply Center Richmond, other government agencies, industry and academic institutions including Virginia State University.

About Virginia State University’s Department of Engineering and Technology: Virginia State University’s Department of Engineering and Technology strives for a student centered learning environment that leverages the latest research on how to educate engineers and technologists for the 21st century global economy. Our learning outcomes and career development objectives for our graduates are mapped to curricula established to reflect the University’s mission and our accreditation requirements (ABET, NAIT, and SACS) to demonstrate a process for continuous improvement. We embrace this commitment wholeheartedly with faculty and staff dedicated to developing globally aware citizens who will contribute their skills to build community and organizations that serve the interests of our Nation.

For more information on LeanForward, please visit http://engrtech.vsu.edu/index.htm.

About LeanForward: LeanForward provides innovative technology-based learning solutions that enable organizations to more efficiently and effectively transfer knowledge from those who have it, to those who need it. LeanForward develops custom elearning courseware, including computer-based training (CBT), web-based training (WBT) and high-end training simulations. For more information on LeanForward, please visit http://www.leanforward.com .

Contact Information

Chris DeLuca

877-594-6300 ext. 126

LeanForward

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