Recognized with gold for active shooter VR simulator, bronzes for online course combatting sexualized violence and professional development resource
The Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) was recognized with three 2022 Horizon Interactive Awards, including gold for a virtual reality (VR) active shooter simulator, and a bronze each for an online course to promote understanding of sexualized violence and a JIBC faculty professional development website.
The gold award, in the “Interactive-Kiosk / Public Exhibit / Museum / VR” category, celebrated a virtual reality simulation designed to help train new police recruits to respond to an active shooter scenario. While such training is conducted in person, using actors and simulated ammunition, for senior recruits who have completed field training, this is considered too advanced for new recruits undergoing basic training. Since active shooter situations are infrequent but high-risk, new recruits are still expected to possess a fundamental understanding of how to respond to such events. The VR simulation provides an immersive, first-person perspective to recruits using an office building scenario. The project was developed by JIBC’s Centre for Teaching, Learning & Innovation (CTLI) in partnership with the Centre for Digital Media.
In the category of “Websites-Training and E-Learning,” JIBC received a bronze award for an openly licensed, self-paced online course called, Safer Campuses for Everyone. The course is designed to provide students, staff and faculty with an understanding of sexualized violence, including the types and impacts, the underlying causes, the importance of consent in relationships, and how to safely intervene to prevent it and to find support. It was developed by BCcampus in partnership with CTLI and the B.C. Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
JIBC’s third award was a bronze in the category of “Websites-School/University” for CTLI’s own website, a resource for curriculum development, teaching and pedagogy, and educational technology, as well as the Learning Hub, its blog-based newsletter on training needs and professional development issues.
“Winning three international awards is not just a recognition of excellence, it is a testament to the creativity, hard work, dedication, and passion of the CTLI team in creating compelling and engaging training for public safety education,” said Robert Walker, Director of the Centre for Teaching, Learning & Innovation.
The 21st annual Horizon Interactive Awards recognize the best of interactive and creative media, including web sites, videos, online advertising, print media, and mobile applications. Over past 19 years, the competition has seen tens of thousands of entries from more than 40 countries which were judged by an international volunteer panel of industry professionals. For more information visit horizoninteractiveawards.com.