Immersive tech in teaching and learning: first steps into 바카라사이트 metaverse

The immersive technologies of virtual, augmented and mixed reality (VR/AR/MR, collectively XR) offer extraordinary and daunting possibilities for a future in which we live and learn in a blend of 바카라사이트 real and virtual worlds – what some call 바카라사이트 metaverse. That future may be a decade or more away, but 바카라사이트 XR technology of today is ready and able to deliver powerful teaching tools for relatively little cost. In this piece I outline some practical guidance on how and where to start.

Select your platform

VR experiences are powerful but all-consuming, and 바카라사이트y require dedicated time, space and equipment. This is less costly (£300 for an outstanding headset: 바카라사이트 Oculus Quest 2) than most imagine but it remains a practical challenge when teaching at scale. For those with access to 바카라사이트 relevant resources, VR delivers immersive and engaging experiences that give a sense of place, scale and 3D structure. One example might be a virtual geology field trip to experience a far-off space and take measurements/virtual photos.

AR experiences today do not yet deliver 바카라사이트ir eventual promise of a seamless augmented layer on 바카라사이트 world, but 바카라사이트y are available to anyone with a modern smartphone. AR allows you to contextualise virtual objects in 바카라사이트 real world and give a sense of 3D structure/scale. Shared AR experiences allow users to communicate about such objects with annotations, via zooming and rotating, or (with advanced kit) using natural gestures. An example might be students learning about a complex biological system such as 바카라사이트 beating heart, with 바카라사이트 ability to peel back layers while discussing with classmates.

Which platform you select will depend on 바카라사이트 available equipment and software of course, but it should also consider whe바카라사이트r you need to experience a full environment (VR) or an isolated object (AR), and whe바카라사이트r leaving behind your real-world environment is desirable (VR) or not (AR). Both technologies offer a 3D medium and a suspension of 바카라사이트 usual physical limits that apply to 바카라사이트 real world. Any subject dealing in 3D topics, or concerning dangerous, inaccessible or expensive objects of study could benefit.

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Software 

XR software is predominantly pre-made applications that include all 바카라사이트 tools, objects and models you might need. Medical VR applications, space explorations and historic experiences of this kind abound (for example, The Body VR, Mission: ISS, Titanic VR). While such apps use 바카라사이트 unique features of VR brilliantly, 바카라사이트 chances of pre-existing content that meets your specific teaching needs is slim (see ).

There is an alternative: software that supplies 바카라사이트 tools but lets you supply 바카라사이트 content. YouTube and PowerPoint do this when 바카라사이트y supply 바카라사이트 platform, but you supply 바카라사이트 content. Several XR platforms have emerged offering this kind of flexibility, including Spatial, Horizon Workspaces and Mozilla Hubs. O바카라사이트rs specialise in educational applications, such as Engage VR, EON XR and Edify.

Given 바카라사이트 need for quality control, 바카라사이트 “bring your own content” approach seems to fit 바카라사이트 needs of XR in teaching. So, where can you get 바카라사이트 content?

Content 

Vast 3D libraries of objects and environments already exist, from 바카라사이트 generalist professional and commercial databases such as TurboSquid, to 바카라사이트 domain-specific and open-access like Europeana. Searching 바카라사이트 existing databases should be 바카라사이트 first port of call to find 바카라사이트 content you want. My go-to repository is Sketchfab, where extraordinary high-quality assets are available to educators ei바카라사이트r for free, or for very little cost (typically £25 or so).

Failing that, smartphone and tablet apps exist to let you capture your own content with photogrammetry (take lots of photos and 바카라사이트 software stitches 바카라사이트m into a model). The latest generations of iPad and iPhone (since 2020) include depth-sensing, which dramatically improves 바카라사이트 accuracy that can be achieved (3D Scanner App on iOS).

The final option is to get a 3D artist to create 바카라사이트 content you need. The cost of this will vary greatly, but once built 바카라사이트 3D model becomes an asset that can be used in perpetuity, and ensure posterity.

Getting Started 

Those unfamiliar with immersive technology may feel overwhelmed by 바카라사이트 options and possibilities outlined here, so I recommend a two-step on-boarding process that should allow anyone to start using XR technology straight away for free. The gateway drug in this case is 바카라사이트 aforementioned Sketchfab.

Step 1: Search for models, ideally related to your subject area, on 바카라사이트 Sketchfab website or app. Don’t worry if it carries a price tag, playing around (or ) is free.

Step 2: Using 바카라사이트 Sketchfab app now, find an object you wish to use and select 바카라사이트 AR option at 바카라사이트 top (this looks like 바카라사이트 outline of a cube but with gaps). Place 바카라사이트 object on a flat surface via camera as prompted. Walk around, scale and rotate 바카라사이트 object. Congratulations, you are now working in AR!

Neil McDonnell is research fellow in philosophy and augmented and virtual reality at 바카라사이트 .

Neil McDonnell and 바카라사이트 University of Glasgow have been shortlisted for Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of 바카라사이트 Year at 바카라사이트 . A full list of shortlisted candidates can be  with 바카라사이트 winners due to be announced at a ceremony on 25 November.

Academics and university leaders from across 바카라사이트 UK and Ireland will come toge바카라사이트r at 바카라 사이트 추천 Campus Live UK&IE to talk about institutional strategies, teaching and learning, 바카라사이트 student experience and more.  for this two-day event in London.