Course Learning Through Immersive Technology

Course Description  

There is much to learn, do, and explore in VR. Virtual Reality provides a uniquely inviting place to learn because of its immersive and interactive qualities. Students in courses taught in VR learn more and retain what they learn more than in traditional classrooms. Immersive learning leads to more significant cognitive development for the learner. It can cause a sharp spike in curiosity, knowledge retention, critical reasoning, and empathy.    

Interactive immersive technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) headsets, allow us to safely connect with one another while sheltering in place alone or social distancing. VR enables us to learn, visit places, go to movie theaters, concerts, and dance parties together. Individuals and groups can learn, meditate, make art, and play games together.   

This course provides students with an opportunity to gain awareness of virtual technology (VR) through application, research, creation, and reflection. Students will use standalone VR headsets along with selected educational applications to participate in immersive learning and engagement experiences. The course is a survey course; topics include diversity, social justice, empathy, creativity, music, astronomy, oceanography, geography, travel and culture, virtual social communities.