Unveiling the U Theatre: Empowering Education with Immersive AR/VR/AI Technology

I'm thrilled to share with you the exciting world of immersive learning programs in higher education using our newly designed shared immersive space, the U Theatre. Today, I'll be discussing how augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are shaping the future of education. Immersive technology is the next big thing in media. It seamlessly blends the digital and real world, allowing us to interact with media in mind-blowing ways. Imagine bringing digital content into our everyday lives and diving into virtual realms as if they're part of our reality. Cool, right?

In education, immersive technology has exploded in the past decade. It offers incredible advantages like delivering information when students need it, accommodating different learning styles, and fostering empathy through immersive experiences. Of course, we need to be mindful of the challenges too. Privacy becomes a concern with the vast amounts of user data collected. We also want to ensure that people don't get too hooked and end up glued to their headsets all day. Despite the challenges, the benefits of immersive technology in education are undeniable. It allows us to personalize learning experiences, support special education, and provide engaging and memorable interactions with content.

As we look ahead, it's clear that we need to develop new skills to harness the potential of immersive technology. Think photogrammetry, 3D modeling, and AI – these are the tools that will help us communicate and create in this rapidly evolving landscape. Now, let's talk about some real-world applications. We're using immersive technology for training simulations in fields like nursing and engineering, offering safe and cost-effective alternatives to real-world experiences. We're also giving virtual campus tours to give prospective students a taste of university life. And hey, we're even connecting students from different parts of the world through immersive exchange programs.

In a nutshell, immersive learning is changing the game in education. Yes, there are challenges to address, but the possibilities are endless. So, join me on this exciting journey as we explore the incredible potential of immersive learning in the inspiring U Theatre at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies.

0:00 Introduction to the U Theatre and the presentation topic.
0:40 Overview of immersive technology and its various forms (AR, VR, mixed reality).
2:17 Explanation of the virtuality continuum and its significance in designing immersive learning experiences.
3:40 Examples of immersive technology applications: VR gaming, augmented reality overlays, and using VR for teaching spatial acuity.
5:15 Benefits of immersive technology in education: just-in-time learning, special education support, learning analytics, and the concept of the empathy machine.
7:07 Concerns about data privacy and the potential risks of immersive technology.
8:45 Importance of developing new skills for effective communication and leveraging immersive technology.
10:05 Examples of immersive technology applications in training simulations, virtual campus tours, and immersive exchange programs.
12:00 Strengths of immersive technology: personalized content delivery and learning analytics.
12:50 Challenges of immersive technology: scalability and data privacy.
13:45 Design considerations for immersive spaces, including open and flexible layouts.
14:35 Showcase of student projects, such as the "My Hometown Project" and augmented reality community engagement program.
16:30 Conclusion and invitation to visit the Future Hub at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies.

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Eric Hawkinson is a Learning Futurist - tinkering with and designing technologies that may better inform the future of teaching and learning.

Find online courses and learning content on Eric's other channels

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Reality Labo is also deployed at this lab for augmented reality rapid prototyping!