VirtuElec : A Tool Designed by and for Students for Training in Electrical Hazards

Abstract

International audienceThe teaching of electrical hazards for future professionals is an important issue. This problem is complex, because to train students in risk, it is necessary to confront them with dangerous situations, but without making them take risks. The VirtuElec project was born in this context: coproducing, with a company specialized in virtual reality, an environment simulating electrical hazards and allowing to train according to different scenarios at different levels of competence. The originality of the project is to involve the students themselves in the construction of this environment. By integrating a project team, they worked in a design office to codevelop this tool and enrich it with video and virtual supports: a training support carried out by students and for students. Students who participated in this project gained knowledge in the areas of electrical hazards, virtual reality, and teamwork, but they felt they gained the most proficiency in the last two skills