CrashCourse allows students to do a "brain fly-through" where they explore a 3D representation of the brain to better understand injuries and its complexity.

Concussions are incredibly common, especially among young athletes, but a surprising number of students are unaware of the dangers of the brain injury or how to know if they've suffered a concussion.

In fact, according to TeachAids, 60 percent of high school students do not report their concussions or are unaware of them at all.

On Dec. 1, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced that Arkansas will be the first state in the country to implement CrashCourse, a concussion education program, in every high school. The program utilizes virtual reality technology combined with an abundance of research and information about prevention and treatment of concussions.

“Arkansas is setting a precedent for the rest of the nation in providing cutting-edge VR education to its students,” Hutchinson said in a press release. “This groundbreaking concussion education experience will empower young people to solve real-world problems in our increasingly technology-driven society.”

CrashCourse is the first virtual reality program of its kind and is designed to motivate a digitally-native generation to as they learn through hands-on experiences.

According to Dr. Piya Sorcar, founder and CEO of TeachAids, CrashCourse places the student “on the field” during a football game and that student takes the role of a player. The VR technology allows students to feel immersed in the learning experience.

“The learner sustains a concussion and is faced with a decision: stay in the game, or step out,” Sorcar said. “The curriculum’s story then branches to reveal what happens as a result of their choice. This approach allows non-athletes to understand the stakes and difficult decisions athletes face when they are injured.”

CrashCourse will be instituted into schools throughout the beginning of 2019 through a collaboration between the Arkansas Department of Education, Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas Activities Association and TeachAids.

Elements of CrashCourse

CrashCourse consists of four main educational elements:

1. Interactive Film
A short film shares the latest medical knowledge about concussion prevention and treatment. The VR version will be released early 2019, followed by concussion education designed specifically for other sports.

2. Symptoms Simulator
This element helps students recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion. Participants can also share about their own personal experiences on an interactive and public story wall.

3. Brain Fly-Through
Advanced technology allows learners to explore a 3D representation of the human brain and better understand its complexity.

4. Empowering Short Films
“Training Secrets of Sports Heroes,” a series of short films featuring respected athletes, helps to shift the conversation from fear to knowledge.

For more information on the program, visit TeachAids.org.

The 411 on Concussions

According to Dr. Gerald Grant, Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Stanford Children’s Health and one of the lead CrashCourse Medical Advisors, a concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head, body or neck creating whiplash that jostles the brain.

Symptoms of a concussion vary but can include:

  • Headaches
  • Daziness
  • Fogginess
  • Impaired Vision
  • Light Sensitivity
  • Ringing Ears
  • Irritability
  • Confusion
  • Difficulty Sleeping

“With proper care, most concussions can heal within 10 days, but the overwhelming majority of students, parents, and coaches are unaware of the latest science about the prevention and treatment of concussions,” says Sorcar. “If not treated properly, a concussion may have lasting physical, emotional, and cognitive effects.”

For more medical information on the symptoms and treatment of concussions, visit CDC.gov.