M. Amigot, IBL News | San Diego
Arizona State University (ASU) released new findings during the ASU+GSV 2025 Summit this week, showing the powerful impact of Dreamscape Learn immersive storytelling on student outcomes, after two years of research behind it.
The primary outcome was that students in the virtual reality lab group were 1.7 times more likely to score between 90 percent and 100 percent on their lab assignments than students in the conventional lab group.
ASU researchers studied more than 4,000 on-campus students from two biology courses over four terms — from fall 2022 through spring 2024.
According to the institution’s data, “The intense engagement that Dreamscape Learn virtual reality biology experiences create is leading to higher grades and more persistence for biology majors.”
ASU’s Dreamscape Learn Biology 181 course debuted in the spring 2022 semester, and now the experience is offered in Biology 181 and 182. These courses are intended for students in STEM majors and are required for graduation.
These biology courses include 15-minute virtual-reality scenarios every week. Students travel through space to an intergalactic wildlife sanctuary, where they encounter intriguing scenarios they must solve through science.
After the weekly Dreamscape Learn experience, students attend a three-hour lab, where the storyline continues. They solve the unique problems using careful reasoning.
The experience is straight out of Hollywood. It was created in collaboration with Dreamscape Immersive, a company co-founded by Walter Parkes, a writer and producer of films including “WarGames,” “Gladiator,” and “Twister.”
Currently, ASU is working with community colleges in California and K–12 schools in Arizona to offer the technology, including the Pendergast Elementary School District in the West Valley.
