Passaic Today

Montclair State University is launching a pioneering initiative to create a character education course for its core curriculum using virtual reality. This project, titled “Planting the SEEDS of Character Growth: Developing Civic and Community Responsibility through Ethical Inquiry Using Virtual Reality,” has been awarded a three-year, $1 million grant, which the University has matched with an additional $888K in funding.

The Institutional Impact Grant, aimed at developing the moral, civic, and intellectual character of faculty, staff, and students, is awarded by the Educating Character Initiative (ECI), part of the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University. Montclair is one of 29 colleges and universities to receive this grant for 2024.

The ECI provides public and private higher education institutions with resources, funding, and support to integrate character education into their curricula and cultures.

With a focus on character development, community engagement, student-centered learning opportunities, and commitment to student success, Montclair aims to lead in addressing complex societal issues. The institution's innovative applications include developing a virtual reality lab for immersive coursework.

The “Planting the SEEDS of Character Growth” project is led by Jennifer Urban, professor of Family Science and Human Development. It will develop an interdisciplinary character education course incorporating virtual reality experiences aligned with the SEEDS general education curriculum’s objectives. Key elements include:

- A four-module character education course with syllabus and classroom activities.

- Three corresponding virtual reality experiences.

- A teaching manual for future instructors.

Urban expressed eagerness to collaborate with faculty and staff who have expertise related to these topics. The course will launch in the academic year following the project's conclusion and could serve as a model for innovation in higher education character education.

“In these particularly fraught and divisive times, character education, ethical reasoning and a focus on community engagement have never been more important,” says Urban. “Our administration has elevated our identity as a university focused on the social good.”

“Imagine the potential power of virtual reality when applied to prosocial endeavors. Our students will be able to see what it feels like to truly walk in someone else’s shoes.”

The new SEEDS core curriculum emphasizes educating for character alongside workforce preparation. It follows five values:

- Social Justice and Equity

- Educated Citizenry

- Engagement, Agency and Leadership

- Diversity and Intercultural Competency

- Self-discovery and Self-care

“Montclair enthusiastically supports students becoming global citizens committed to public good through ethics and empathy,” says Provost Junius Gonzales. “The coursework developed through this grant will strengthen our efforts under the SEEDS curriculum.”