On October 1st, 2024, the Nexus team visited the NYU Center for Faculty Advancement’s Immersive Technology Lab (iTLAB) to explore the possible educational use cases of virtual reality (VR). During our visit, we focused on how XR is being integrated into learning and teaching practices at NYU, revealing its potential beyond gaming.
Our session began with an introduction to the Meta Quest 3 headsets, covering their basic functionality and tips on how to wear them properly. As soon as we were ready to put the headsets on, the team at NYU iTLAB made sure we were comfortable wearing them. While some of us were concerned that the headsets might feel too tight on our heads, they turned out to be sleek and lightweight, especially with the help of extra strap accessories. The visuals were also surprisingly clear and responsive compared to Meta’s last-gen products, greatly reducing the chance of motion sickness.
After adjusting to the hardware, we were guided through NYU iTLAB’s custom-built XR tutorial module. This tutorial walked us through various interaction methods in virtual space, such as using the controllers or simply using our hands thanks to sensors in our Quest headsets. Personally, I appreciated how the tutorial effectively demonstrated how our regular gestures get translated into actions in XR, providing a straightforward yet engaging way of interaction.
Next, we got to try OpenBrush, a mixed-reality drawing tool allowing users to paint in a three-dimensional space. This innovative application transforms the air around you into a virtual canvas, where your movements can create strokes that hover mid-air. It was fascinating to see how intuitive the control interface was, where we could move around and view our creations from different angles. This capability unlocked new possibilities for artistic and educational uses such as designing immersive marketing campaigns (Frontiere, 2024).
Although our session was brief and we did not have the chance to explore all the applications, the iTLAB visit gave us a great introduction to the latest XR technologies NYU has to offer. It got me thinking about the potential for XR and I am excited for its future in education.
XR Resources at NYU
NYU provides various resources for faculty interested in incorporating XR into teaching:
NYU iTLAB Consultations: The NYU IT Lab is open to faculty for consultation to explore what XR can do and how it can be utilized in their teaching.
Wonda VR License: NYU has secured a license with Wonda, a platform that enables faculty to create immersive 3D virtual teaching spaces via a web interface on their own laptops/desktops.
NYU Virtual Reality for Teaching and Learning: NYU also provides a general guide page with relevant resources for NYU members who want to incorporate virtual reality into education.
At Nexus, we're also offering two XR workshops for faculty interested in incorporating it into their classes. You can find more detailed descriptions for each course by clicking the registration links provided.
References
Frontiere (2024, June 03). Extended Reality in marketing: creating immersive brand experiences https://frontiere.io/extended-reality-in-marketing-creating-immersive-brand-experiences/
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