Motorsport race teams, manufacturers, and companies in the supply chain have identified a need to improve how motorsport qualifications are delivered in the UK. The qualifications need to be made more accessible to non-neurotypical learners who often find it difficult to demonstrate their skills and knowledge via traditional assessment methods.
In 2019, SCU Motorsport undertook research across the motorsport sector which included talking to current and previous students. The research found that students could perform practical tasks but struggled with exams and/or providing written accounts. Motorsports teams are keen to see novel approaches for delivering and assessing training to open access to learners who might be put off by having to write a portfolio of evidence.
This project will develop a VR learning platform to support the training of motorsport mechanics and engineers. It will allow non-neurotypical learners to gain recognition by demonstrating skills and capability through mixed reality, instead of written evidence or an exam. The project will:
- Develop a 3D Virtual Motorsport Garage where students will use an immersive headset and touch sensitive gloves to work on and interact with a virtual race car.
- Allow learners to use virtual set-up tools and make adjustments to see how they impact on race car performance.
- Involve motorsport professionals in video content to help learners understand concepts.
- Explore how assessment and digital badging can be integrated into the platform.
If successful, this approach will form part of a new motorsport qualification that will be marketed to learning providers wishing to deliver motorsport training.