Gather.town: An opportunity for self-paced learning in a synchronous, distance-learning environment

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Higher Education to adopt distance-learning approaches in traditionally face-to-face and practical-based fields such as the Health Life sciences. Such an abrupt change contexts brings a variety of challenges student learning communities, ensuring key skills are effectively transferred. Chief among these is limited opportunity students have discuss their individual needs with educators peers synchronous manner. Proximity-based video-conferencing platforms gather.town can offer unique for learners interact well pre-developed materials self-paced manner tailor teaching experience, develop relationships context. In this case study concepts statistical analysis use data software R introduced 38 University using online platform gather.town. With private spaces, pre-recorded videos, demonstrators, trained both practical undertake Both demonstrators provide opinions on effectiveness platform, identify its benefits, preferring it alternative systems MS Teams educational sessions.