A FIRST IN AFRICA − UJ SET TO TRANSFORM LEGAL EDUCATION WITH A VIRTUAL REALITY COURTROOM
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is breaking new ground in legal education with its trailblazing Virtual Reality (VR) Courtroom Game, which was launched on Friday 19 July 2024. This cutting-edge initiative not only marks a first for South Africa but is also a groundbreaking development for the entire African continent. By harnessing the power of virtual reality, UJ is set to transform traditional teaching methods, offering students a dynamic and immersive learning experience that blends theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice. Transforming traditional methods In South Africa, legal education has traditionally followed a structured approach, categorising law into distinct disciplines rooted in Roman tradition. However, this method often overlooks the interconnectedness of legal issues BY HARNESSING THE POWER OF VIRTUAL REALITY, UJ IS SET TO TRANSFORM TRADITIONAL TEACHING METHODS, OFFERING STUDENTS A DYNAMIC AND IMMERSIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCE THAT BLENDS THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE WITH HANDS-ON PRACTICE.
within the country’s complex constitutional democracy. The VR Courtroom Game, created by UJ’s Faculty of Law in partnership with the Johannesburg Business School (JBS) Innovation Lab, tackles this issue head-on by plunging students into realistic legal scenarios that mirror actual cases. Innovative educational approach Prof Michele van Eck, the project’s lead, emphasises that the team was acutely aware of the contemporary challenges in legal education, particularly the need to connect legal content with its impact on everyday life in a nation shaped by apartheid’s legacy. “We aimed to craft an innovative and inclusive approach to legal education. The VR Courtroom Game is a game-changer, offering students complex legal scenarios across various
Virtual reality courtroom
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