Learning Sonography Through Play – Extended Reality in an Elective Module

How can hand–eye coordination and spatial awareness be specifically developed during sonography training? For the first time, students in our sonography elective module had the opportunity to try out eight short Extended Reality (XR) games developed by colleagues at Flensburg University of Applied Sciences. The aim was to develop essential skills for ultrasound examinations through playful, interactive activities and to introduce new approaches to learning.

From an educational perspective, the concept combines game-based learning with immersive learning environments and competency-based teaching. Short, interactive tasks actively engage students in the learning process. A distinctive feature of the XR mini-games is their consistent focus on sonography: the controller becomes a virtual ultrasound transducer, while the tasks gradually increase in difficulty and illustrate key principles of sonographic imaging.

The evaluation showed overwhelmingly positive feedback. As 87 per cent of participants had no prior experience with XR, the focus was particularly on exploring an unfamiliar learning approach. Participants described the experience as exciting and enjoyable. Particularly encouraging was the fact that all participants indicated they would use XR-based sonography training again. The majority also reported that the activities had improved their spatial visualisation skills. These findings suggest that virtual learning environments may support the development of spatial awareness by combining active experimentation, visual orientation and targeted movement control. The overall experience received an average rating of 1.86.

The results highlight the potential of XR as an accessible, playful addition to sonography education that can enhance learning motivation and target specific skills. Rather than replacing established teaching methods, the aim is to complement them with innovative, interactive and competency-based learning activities.