Immersive Graphics in Education: A VR Rat Dissection Case Study Framed by Three Essential Abilities

This paper presents an immersive VR pedagogy project developed at HKUST to support undergraduate life science students in learning rat anatomy and dissection. Traditional anatomy teaching frequently encounters ethical concerns, substantial material costs, and student anxiety when handling specimens. Our VR platform provides a safe, repeatable, and interactive environment where students can explore anatomical structures, practice procedures, and build confidence prior to wet lab engagement. Baseline surveys revealed that 64.6% of students reported increased preparedness following VR practice, while 79.3% expressed satisfaction with the learning experience, citing reduced anxiety and enhanced spatial understanding as primary benefits. Beyond this case study, we position the project within broader educational futures through three essential dimensions. First, immersive HCI can foster empathetic understanding among peers while enabling students to develop self-efficacy and emotional resilience. Second, the integration of AI and multimodal tools enables students to engage in creative expression, combining scientific learning with narrative construction and cross-disciplinary perspectives. Finally, as educational technologies increasingly collect and process student information, cultivating critical thinking about educational technology becomes essential for responsible digital citizenship. By situating a concrete VR teaching practice within these three educational dimensions—empathetic engagement, creative expression, and critical evaluation—this contribution demonstrates not only the practical value of immersive tools in STEM education but also the importance of aligning technological innovation with human-centered pedagogical values.