2024 Volume 57 Pages 29-34
This paper presents the implementation of "VCAM," a novel support program for school non-attenders utilizing virtual reality (VR) headsets. In 2023, we conducted VCAM both regionally in Kyoto and nationwide in Japan, engaging twenty-one middle and high school students who were not attending school. Participants immersed themselves in VR environments for one month, experiencing interactive learning and social activities. Our survey revealed high participant satisfaction and a strong inclination to recommend the program to peers. The anonymity and immersive nature of the virtual environment, coupled with our dedicated supporter system, appeared to enhance participants' psychological safety—their perception of interpersonal risk-taking—thereby facilitating social interaction. This study demonstrates the potential of VR technology in supporting school non-attenders while identifying areas for future research, including rigorous effectiveness evaluation and sustainability strategies.
