Fall 2023 ECT Brownbags
VR and Learning - An Immersive Relationship
October 24, 2023, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST
Presented by Fabian Froehlich
Interacting with objects in virtual reality (VR) can be an exciting experience. In the world of education, immersion matters. VR opens up a new dimension, making learning come alive. But here's the game-changer - Haptic Feedback. It's not just about what you see; it's about what you feel. This technology has the potential to impact the quality of education by making it more engaging and interactive.
We all know that feedback is the secret sauce for learning. Whether it's polishing your skills, mastering a concept, or refining your craft, feedback is the compass that guides you. With haptic feedback, you're not just seeing and hearing, you're physically sensing the learning process. Not all immersive feedback is created equal. We understand that every learner is unique. There's no one-size-fits-all guide. The presentation touches on how VR can be a catalyst to bridge individual differences in education.
Theories are great, but what really matters is practical application. Fabian presented results from two empirical VR experiments we conducted during the last year following the established cognitive learning theories and pedagogical principles.
While much research focuses on visual and auditory feedback, the untapped potential of haptic feedback cannot be ignored. Fabian believes it's the missing piece of the puzzle that can enhance your learning journey. His quest is to unravel the full potential of haptic feedback and its impact on education.
SoundCheck: Audio and Emotions for Learning
Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST
Presented by Al Olsen
This work is aligned with the research of Virtual Reality Learning Environments (VRLEs), Emotional design, Audio and Emotions, Emotion Sensing and Emotions for Learning.
SoundCheck focuses on audio designs and their effects on learners’ emotions. SoundCheck aims to mediate affect via audio designs with the goal to enhance cognition. A catalogue of audio designs was composed from the ground up following strict heuristics found in the literature of sound, emotion and cognition.
To study these audio designs in VR, two innovations have been put forth: First, the Multilayered Affect-Audio Research System, MAARS, a taxonomy for VRLEs’ audio research and design. And second, a bio-sensing VR research platform, DreamVR, featuring calibrations rooms used to expose participants to auditory stimuli presentations.
The audio designs corresponding to the Feedback and Experiential layers will be tested using MAARS and DreamVR.