Swami Hinojosa
Editor-in-Chief
It has been almost two weeks since I stepped into the future of education. On Oct. 31, I had the pleasure of experiencing one of the most immersive opportunities that Broward College) offers: the VR reality classroom, guided by Professor Russell Betts and Professor Michelle Levine. These two faculty members are pioneering this innovative approach, setting the standard for others to follow.
The experience was captivating right from the start. As soon as I entered, I was greeted by the team, who introduced me to an interactive computer. This setup allowed me to engage with a variety of virtual objects by simply pointing and moving them with a pencil-like tool equipped with a side button. The most impressive part was seeing a complete 3D model of a human heart, arteries, and veins all pumping in real-time. The ability to rotate and view the heart from any angle was incredible. For architecture students, the VR system also provides the ability to draw and visualize construction plans, showing each layer from the foundation to the finished structure.
Next, I tried on the VR headset and was immediately greeted by an animated hummingbird. This delightful guide led me through the basics of using VR controls. It taught me how to bend, rotate, drag images, and stay aware of my surroundings. The controls were intuitive and operated with simple hand movements. Even accessing the main menu was as easy as a flick of the wrist.
The highlight of the experience was a detailed presentation on virtual reality, covering everything from what VR is to how it works, all explained by the professor, Russell Betts. They introduced us to the Oculus VR equipment and demonstrated how to use the small handheld controllers. I learned that gliding in VR could cause dizziness, so it is best to use the teleport function. This is what professor Betts suggest for students during VR-based classes to prevent discomfort. They also stressed the importance of setting up VR sessions in a seated, controlled space to avoid accidents.
Being part of this immersive workshop was eye-opening. Although most participants were experienced faculty members, it was clear that even beginners like me could adapt quickly. We could customize our avatars, communicate with each other using gestures like thumbs-up, and congratulate each other on mastering new tasks. Initially, finding each other in the virtual space was tricky, but we soon got the hang of it.
One memorable moment was interacting with classmates in the VR world. We could share laughs and engage in simple games, making the session lively and interactive. The professors were right. Gliding could make you feel a bit queasy, so gradually increasing your VR exposure and setting time limits is key. One of the professors even shared that watching a movie while seated in VR helps maintain comfort and minimizes the effects of dizziness.
The VR reality classroom at BC exceeded all expectations. These workshops did not disappoint; they provided an insightful and enjoyable introduction to virtual learning. To those interested in exploring new ways of education, I highly recommend trying BC’s VR experience. It is an exciting glimpse into how technology is reshaping the way we study and interact. Betts and Levine are leading the charge, ensuring that this revolutionary approach is not only accessible but also engaging for everyone.