Teaching Students About Workplace Harassment by Letting Them Experience it in a Virtual Reality Environment

Abstract

We are in the midst of a technological revolution that has the potential to transform management education. The author proposes Virtual Reality (VR) as a pedagogical tool to teach students about workplace harassment. Specifically, this article describes the development and application of two open access VR simulations that are designed to increase students’ awareness of sexism and racism at work. These simulations replicate a complex organizational environment and teach students the skills necessary to intervene when they experience or observe workplace harassment. In addition, they provide students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge in a safe and controlled environment. Data from 25 pilot study participants indicate that the VR simulations are impactful, engaging, immersive, and realistic and are able to evoke students’ emotions during the decision-making process. Finally, this article elaborates on how to use VR in the classroom and discuses its implications for teaching and research.