We took learning beyond the classroom with 

virtual simulation labs, immersive VR environments, and even VR enhanced with AI avatars

. These tools brought practice to life, allowing learners to test their skills, engage authentically, and receive meaningful feedback in safe and supportive spaces.

Learning experiences with varied formats and applications

Our training successfully addressed the core competencies that vocational rehabilitation professionals relied on for the effective delivery of Pre-Employment Training Services (Plotner, Trach, & Strausser, 2012).

Each domain was tied to a transformational learning outcome in the coursework. We developed a multimodal learning model that stimulated multiple senses and enhanced memory through a combination of visual and auditory input, as well as hands-on learning.

We embraced the need for remote learning and created opportunities for participants to be immersed in virtual environments. With the technology we had readily available, students experienced real-world scenarios through simulations such as role-plays, which proved effective in reinforcing learning. Built-in vicarious learning opportunities, such as observing others at work, further strengthened retention.

Our online courses offered both passive and interactive experiences. Participants engaged in social virtual environments and interacted with avatars in realistic simulations.

Our online courses were designed for flexible access, allowing participants to join at the time that best suited them. This asynchronous model ensured training was delivered at the optimal moment for each learner while still providing direct instruction on major activities.

Those who participated in the skill enhancement exercises delivered in real time received immediate feedback from instructors, along with detailed assessments after completing the sessions.

About

Margaret began her career in vocational rehabilitation as a job placement counselor in 1978. Way too young, she then moved on to a school caseload in the rural counties of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Working on the Pre-ETS project has brought her career full circle. She has been a vocational rehabilitation counselor, supervisor, and director of a resource center and national training projects related to disability and substance abuse disorders.

She received her doctorate in counseling from The George Washington University and her MS from Virginia Commonwealth University. She holds a national certification in rehabilitation counseling. She has been in academia since 1996, 24 years at West Virginia University where she is a Full Professor and served as the coordinator of the rehabilitation counseling program and department chair.

She has 35 years of experience in grant and contract writing, development, and delivery at the federal and state levels - 12 federal; 6 state grants; and two private foundations. This included the Switzer Distinguished Disability and Rehabilitation Research Fellowship by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research to conduct an exploratory study of service dog use in the workplace

Her favorite accomplishment during this time? Being given an amazing dog who was trained in the service dog program at WVU and being allowed to be one of the Visiting Therapy Dog partnerships on campus. If you would like to meet Lily, 

Elisabeth is a Teaching Assistant Professor at West Virginia University. She serves as a researcher at West Virginia University, conducting program evaluation with AIR4VR. She was an assistant professor of rehabilitation counseling at West Virginia University where she served as clinical coordinator and program coordinator. Before moving into academia, she worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor in the private sector and spent several years with the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), eventually serving as Lead Consultant for their Motor Team. Elisabeth discovered her love for developing and presenting training materials on the employment of persons with disabilities while with JAN.

She has presented at numerous national conferences as a subject-matter expert in the employment of people with physical and mental health impairments, in addition to her work as a rehabilitation counselor educator. Elisabeth enjoys reading and binge-watching shows on Netflix in her spare time, but with three young kids at home, this is more of a dream than reality.

David is a Teaching Assistant Professor at the West Virginia University Reed College of Media, where he teaches multimedia storytelling, including augmented and virtual reality (AR & VR). Before joining the faculty at WVU, he was a visual journalist for several news organizations in North and South Carolina, Alabama, Ohio, and West Virginia. He’s always looking for innovative ways to use new tech for storytelling and education. You can usually find him filming 360-degree video, building and testing new Instagram effects, or flying a drone — or experimenting with new uses for his air fryer.

Olivia is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at William and Mary has been a professional counselor for over 12 years and a counselor educator and supervisor for 8 years. Her scholarship activities centers around the areas of virtual simulation in counselor education and counseling, client utcome, counseling student development, and clinical supervision

Olivia is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education and College Student Affairs at the University of West Georgia, She has over a decade of clinical experience, which includes clients from school age through adulthood in a variety of therapeutic settings. She has worked with a variety of multicultural clients and mental illness, crisis intervention, interpersonal dynamics, parenting issues, self-esteem work, and stress management.

Enis graduated from the Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling MS program at West Virginia University. She started working with the AIR4VR project as a graduate assistant and was promoted to Project Manager upon graduation. Her prior experience was as a Sign Language Interpreter.

Enis lives in Morgantown with her wife and little dog. When she isn't working or spending time with their three young-adult children she enjoys reading, boxing, hiking, and music. 


Barb began her career as an employment specialist for a private rehabilitation firm. She then worked for a state VR program as a counselor, transitions program developer, counselor trainer, quality assurance officer, and regional administrator. Additionally, Barb has developed and delivered rehabilitation materials for various grant projects and training centers throughout the country. Barb and her husband adopted a daughter, the love of their lives, who lives with a significant disability. Upon the arrival of her daughter, Barb’s passion for her work turned personal. She thanks you for the opportunity to share what she has learned and for choosing this profession. As a parent, she wants you to know your work is essential and appreciated.

Lily was trained in the service dog training program at West Virginia University. She became a member of the WVU Visitation Dog team in 2016 and loves hanging out with students, staff, and faculty.  She lives with Margaret Glenn and spends her time finding bodies of water and mud to leap through! 

As a member of the AIR4VR remote team, she shows up in our virtual worlds and says hi on Zoom. 

Learning experiences with varied formats and applications

Team

Margaret Glenn, EdD, CRC

Elisabeth Simpson, PhD, CRC, NCC

David Smith, MA

Olivia Uwamahoro, PhD, LPC, NCC, CPCS

Enis Fox-Schauffner, MS, NCC

Barb Scheidermayer, MS, CRC

Lily the Collegiate Doodle