philip lelyveld The world of entertainment technology

31Mar/20Off

Davenport University using virtual reality to deliver ‘you are there’ classes, events

Davenport is using virtual reality software VirBELA to run its virtual reality program.

"We want to try to make sure we are in front of the curve," said Brian Miller, Davenport's dean of the global campus. "What really makes a school is a sense of place. That's missing in most online-learning programs."

Personalized avatars in different settings

Through the software, Davenport can designate classroom space, auditorium space, conference rooms and other places. Each person can set up their avatar, personalizing clothing, hair, skin color and other items. It is not photo-realistic.

The school recently held  a career fair using the software, setting up business representatives on a virtual soccer field. Students visiting the fair could walk their avatar around the fair and see the different booths.

99d89b14-4223-4c11-9be2-e289ca50c270-ConferenceRoomThere also can be conference rooms, where students can gather around a table, with screens and boards in the background. The screens are saved even when users log out. The users' avatars sit at the table. Nobody else can get in. A professor can knock on the door to come in and check on students. The students' avatars will stand up and go open the virtual door to let the teacher in.

Rooms can be set up differently. For example, a large space could handle round tables with space for eight people at each table, or rows of chairs, or other configurations.

Yes, you can raise your hand

Once in, people using their avatar can raise hands, look puzzled or take other actions. If there is a conference going on, when one speaker introduces the next speaker, that person's avatar steps out of the audience and talks at the podium.

"It creates visual clues and a sense of being there," Miller said. "It's also good for helping with skills for students. For example, it's hard to replicate in online classes the feeling you get when standing up and looking at a bunch of people sitting there looking at you. This does that. It also offers visual feedback from the audience, so you can learn how to read an audience and adapt your message."

See the full story here: https://www.freep.com/story/news/education/2020/03/31/davenport-university-virtual-reality-classes/2914918001/

The VirBELA site - https://www.virbela.com 

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