The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) has introduced an innovative class designed for pre-med students, allowing them to engage in patient care within a virtual hospital environment. This unique course, titled “Experiential Medical Reasoning,” leverages the popular video game Minecraft, transforming the learning experience into an interactive adventure where students can order tests, examine patients, and make diagnoses—all while navigating a blocky, digital landscape.
Instead of relying solely on traditional textbooks, students utilize a comprehensive “playbook” embedded in the game. This playbook challenges them to make critical decisions regarding patient care, including which tests to order and how to interpret symptoms and medical charts to arrive at accurate diagnoses.
Blocky hospital is a replica of Dallas’ Parkland Memorial
The virtual hospital is a meticulously crafted digital twin of Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, developed by IvyBee, a startup founded by Dr. Walter Voit, an associate professor at UTD. The technology behind this innovative playbook is powered by Authura, IvyBee’s online course builder. This initiative is part of a broader trend of using Minecraft as an educational tool, which Voit and his team have been pioneering since 2014.
Voit’s previous projects include the creation of Polycraft World, a Minecraft modification that integrates concepts of polymer science and engineering. In 2020, UTD researchers received a grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to utilize Polycraft World for teaching AI systems to adapt to dynamic environments. Voit expressed his enthusiasm for blending education with gaming, stating, “We want to use Minecraft to help expose students to information in a really fun, engaging way.”
With IvyBee’s recent launch, the focus has shifted towards developing educational games within Minecraft, and the partnership with UTD aims to offer this for-credit MCAT prep course to aspiring medical students.
Students like the gamified approach
Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive. Biology senior Omar Choudhry actively engages with the playbook while navigating the corridors of the virtual Parkland hospital. Neuroscience senior Charlynn Maina shared her excitement, noting, “I signed up for the class because it sounded really cool. It’s definitely a new way of learning, a fun way to approach preparing for the MCAT.” She emphasized that the gamified format enhances retention, stating, “We definitely remember what we learn because we have to use that knowledge in the game.”
Another student, Henock Abera, appreciates the behind-the-scenes insights the game provides, saying, “I get to see more of what goes on behind the scenes and what I potentially could be doing as a doctor.” This sentiment is echoed by fellow student Sahar Bavandi, who remarked on the relevance of such innovative approaches in modern education, asserting, “This is something that the new generation wants. I think this is a new step toward adapting education to technology.”
