T22: Shifting to Digital: 360VR for Immersive Learning

Wednesday, 28 July 2021, 08:00 – 12:00 EDT (Eastern Daylight Time - Washington DC)
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Andri Ioannou (short bio)

Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus

 

Andreas Kitsi (short bio)

Cyprus Interaction Lab / RISE - EdMedia group, Cyprus

 

Raluca Maxim (short bio)

Cyprus Interaction Lab / RISE - EdMedia group, Cyprus

 

Objectives:

Nowadays, teaching and training faces new challenges as the audience is less self-disciplined, living in overwhelming environments and loosing attention and/or interest very quickly. Our job, as educators and trainers is to address these challenges. Affordable virtual reality can help make learning more fun and engaging enabling some of the "lost" experiences such as a visit to a factory or to a museum. In this tutorial, participants will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with Virtual Reality (VR) tools for teaching and learning. There are 2 kinds of virtual reality: 360 pictures and videos i.e., the spherical approach and the 3D simulations i.e., the video games like approach. The tutorial focuses on the first approach which is affordable and can support our quick shift to digital. The participants will have a detailed experience on the creation of a VR learning tour, using low-cost technologies.

 

Content and benefits:

Introduction to Virtual Reality

  • Virtual Reality Simulations with Oculus Go & Oculus Quest
  • Virtual Reality 360 Videos with YouTube 360
  • Unity Virtual Reality 360 Videos (Interactive)
  • Virtual Reality with 360 Images Google Expedition

Pre Production

  • Teaching and learning goals
  • Equipment and software
  • Storyboarding and multimedia

Post Production

  • Using a 360 Camera
  • Recording footage
  • Create your own tour platform
  • Importing footage and creating scenes

The experience

  • Google Expeditions
  • Sharing a VR experience and guiding other participants through it
  • Debriefing and reflecting on the value of 360VR for teaching and learning

 

Target audience:

Instructors and learners in any domain and level (K-20+)

 

List of materials or devices required by the participants:

It is preferred that the participants have a smartphone with a good camera

Bio Sketches of Presenters:

Andri Ioannou is an Associate Professor in the Department of Multimedia and Graphic Arts of the Cyprus University of Technology, Director of the Cyprus Interaction Research Lab and a Team Leader at Research Centre on Interactive media, Smart systems and Emerging technologies (RISE). Andri has a Ph.D. in Educational Technology and an MA in Education both from the University of Connecticut (USA), and a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Cyprus. Her research contributes to key areas of educational technology, including the (i) design and evaluation of technology-enhanced learning environments, (ii) use of technology to support skills within a 21st century framework including problem-solving, collaboration, metacognition, and “living in the world” skills, (iii) design of embodied, playful and gameful learning using technology, and (iv) technology integration in all levels of education. Andri has more than 80 peer-reviewed scientific publications in highly cited international journals and conferences. She has been involved as a principal investigator (PI) and co-ordinator in 18 research projects funded by the European Union and national grants.

Andreas Kitsi is a Multimedia/UX Designer and Researcher at the Cyprus Interaction Lab and RISE - EdMedia group. He holds a BA from the Department of Multimedia and Graphic Arts of the Cyprus University of Technology. He is interested in emerging technologies, user experience design, and gamification.

Raluca Maxim is a UX Designer and Researcher affiliated with the Cyprus Interaction Lab and RISE - EdMedia group. She holds a BA/MA in Cognitive Psychology/Human factors in aviation. She is interested in gamification, human-computer interaction, virtual reality and artificial intelligence.