If you have been following my series on Extended Reality (XR) technology in higher education, you have seen several examples of how other universities use various technologies to develop unique immersive learning experiences. An ambitious project at Arizona State University (ASU) has instructors and students working together to create virtual worlds that they hope to connect to into a virtual universe.
ASU professors Heather Haseley and Dan Munnerley call this virtual universe the "ASU-niverse." Collaborating with Dreamscape Immersive, a Virtual Reality (VR) entertainment company led by Hollywood producer Walter Parkes, they are developing a platform called Dreamscape Learn. Using technology from Zoe Immersive, Dreamscape Learn provides tools that will allow students with minimal coding experience to create unique and immersive educational experiences.
One Dreamscape Learn project has Biology students investigating an alien world called the Intergalactic Wildlife Sanctuary. In the virtual environment, students use tools to study alien life forms and ecosystems to discover and solve environmental problems. Another project, called Theta Labs, has students from various departments creating an experience where students must travel into the future or past to fight climate change. Both projects use VR technology to give students a hands-on experience that provides a much deeper learning experience than more conventional teaching methods.
These are just two early examples of projects using Dreamscape Learn. ASU has plans to use the platform throughout the university. They are also looking into using the technology for social experiences, such as meeting in virtual lounges to watch movies, allowing students to interact in ways that go beyond just video conferencing.
References
Faller, M. B., & Beach, E. (2021, December 17). ASU students create time-travel experience in Dreamscape learn. ASU News. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from https://news.asu.edu/20211203-creativity-asu-students-create-time-travel-experience-dreamscape-learn
Filmer, S. (2022, March 22). Arizona State University launches immersive learning experience with VR biology classes. Bizjournals.com. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/inno/stories/partner-content/2022/03/22/asu-launches-immersive-vr-learning-experience.html
Kaser, R. (2021, December 1). Dreamscape partners with Zoe Immersive on VR learning experiences. VentureBeat. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from https://venturebeat.com/2021/12/01/dreamscape-partners-with-zoe-immersive-on-vr-learning-experiences/
Kaser, R. (2021, December 1). Dreamscape partners with Zoe Immersive on VR learning experiences. VentureBeat. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from https://venturebeat.com/2021/12/01/dreamscape-partners-with-zoe-immersive-on-vr-learning-experiences/
Pedrosa, C. (2021, December 27). Welcome to the ASU-Niverse - The Arizona State Press. The State Press. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from https://www.statepress.com/article/2021/12/spmagazine-welcome-to-the-asuniverse#
