The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is breaking new ground in legal education with its trailblazing Virtual Reality (VR) Courtroom Game, which was launched on Friday, July 19, 2024. This cutting-edge initiative not only marks a first for South Africa but is also a groundbreaking development for the entire African continent. By harnessing the power of virtual reality, UJ is set to transform traditional teaching methods, offering students a dynamic and immersive learning experience that blends theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice.
Transforming traditional methods
In South Africa, legal education has traditionally followed a structured approach, categorising law into distinct disciplines rooted in Roman tradition. However, this method often overlooks the interconnectedness of legal issues within the country’s complex constitutional democracy. The VR Courtroom Game, created by UJ’s Faculty of Law in partnership with the Johannesburg Business School (JBS) Innovation Lab, tackles this issue head-on by plunging students into realistic legal scenarios that mirror actual cases.
Innovative educational approach
Professor Michele van Eck, the project’s lead, emphasises that the team was acutely aware of the contemporary challenges in legal education, particularly the need to connect legal content with its impact on everyday life in a nation shaped by apartheid’s legacy.
“We aimed to craft an innovative and inclusive approach to legal education. The VR Courtroom Game is a game-changer, offering students complex legal scenarios across various disciplines. It immerses them in real-life situations, helping them grasp the intersection of legal principles and preparing them for practical legal work. This involved extensive development to ensure that the scenarios are authentic and accessible for students at all levels of legal understanding,” says Prof van Eck.
Technical lead developer Professor Abejide Ade-Ibijola adds that the VR Courtroom Game is designed to make legal education not just informative but exciting. By incorporating virtual reality and artificial intelligence (AI) within a game-based learning framework, the game bridges the gap between theory and practice. “This approach enhances students’ analytical skills and provides a deeper, more engaging understanding of legal principles. It’s not just about learning law; it’s about experiencing it in a way that prepares them for real-world practice,” notes Prof Ade-Ibijola.
Prof van Eck and Prof Ade-Ibijole recognise the invaluable contribution of the project team from the Faculty of Law and the undergraduate students at the JBS Innovation Lab, without which this project would not have been possible.
Collaborative success
The VR Courtroom Project is directed by Professor Michele van Eck, with Professor Abejide Ade-Ibijola serving as the Lead VR Game Developer. The team included experts from the UJ’s Faculty of Law, such as Professor Puseletso Letete, Ms. Natasha Naidoo, Mr. Elton Hart, Ms Felicia Zuba, Mr. Louis Koen, Dr Werner Nel, Dr Yvette Joubert, and Dr Whitney Rosenberg, who developed the storyline, content, and scenarios for the game. These experts also tested and validated the game to ensure its accuracy and effectiveness.
