Virtual and Augmented Reality

Workshop Details

Wednesday, June 17, 10:00am-12:30pm

Faculty and students across campus are engaged in thinking about how Extended Reality, the umbrella term for Virtual and Augmented Reality, can provide immersive experiences. Whether creating 3D models, a virtual world, or exploring the opportunities for using immersive spaces for increased engagement, this session will provide an overview of the tools available for extending your classes with XR.

Outline

  • Introductions (10 min)
  • Introduction to topic (30 min)
  • Faculty showcase (30 min)
  • Hands-on exploration of Resurrect3D (30 min)
  • Break (10 min)
  • How did they make that? (30 min: 20 min exploration + 10 min debrief)
  • Other resources and next steps (10 min)

Links & Handouts

Instructors & Moderators

  • Meaghan Moody, Immersive Technologies Librarian, mmoody@rochester.edu
  • Josh Romphf, Digital Scholarship Programmer, jromphf@library.rochester.edu
  • Emily Sherwood, Director, Digital Scholarship Lab, esherwood@library.rochester.edu
  • Allegra Tennis, Outreach Librarian, Science and Engineering, Computer Engineering, ECE, Digital Media Studies, atennis@library.rochester.edu
  • Emma Schaale, Library Karp Fellow, Public Programs Coordinator
  • Sebastian Jakymiw, Library Karp Fellow, Immersive Technologies Developer

Showcase Presenters

  • Ming-Lun Lee, Assistant Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • Michael J. Jarvis, Associate Professor of History

Introduction and Faculty Showcase

Technology Defined

Virtual reality (VR) uses advanced display and immersive audio technologies to create an interactive, three-dimensional environment. Think of experiencing a roller coaster without actually being on one or walking through the great pyramids of Egypt from the comfort of your living room.

Augmented reality (AR) uses digital technology to overlay digital content onto the physical world to provide information and embellish our experiences. Think of using AR to help you assemble a piece of furniture. Or use it to see if a table would fit in your dining room.

Extended reality (XR) is an umbrella term encapsulating AR, VR, and everything in between.

graphic illustrating extended reality as an umbrella term for virtual, mixed, and augmented realities
Created by Emma Schaale

Background Resources

The Mixed Reality Continuum: Steve Benford, Professor of Computer Science at the University of Nottingham
Resources from the River Campus Libraries

Research Projects and Coursework Examples

Making XR Experiences: Assets and Virtual Environments

Creating Assets

Note: This is a selection of resources to get started and not a comprehensive list.

3D Modeling

360 Images and Video

Creating Virtual Environments

Access to Equipment

Rettner Hall provides access to a wide variety of technologies. View the Rettner Technology Lending Library.

Studio X will also provide XR hardware and software. Please reach out to the DSL if you have specific technology needs.

Leveraging XR Resources: Assets, Tools, and Virtual Spaces

3D Models

Web-based Tools

Virtual Spaces

Experiences

Sweet Chariot

AR tour to understand the African American experience in the landscape of historic Philadelphia

PBS Watershed

Immersive video series on the impact of America’s watersheds

Lost City of Mer

VR experience to learn about climate change focused on coral reefs

National Geographic

YouTube playlist of 360 experiences

Unceded Territories

VR experience created from indigenous artist Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun’s iconic work to engage viewers in an interactive landscape grappling with colonialism, climate change, and indigenous civil rights

Google Expeditions

360 experiences for VR and 3D assets for AR

Resurrect3D

Resurrect3D is a browser-based 3D viewer currently in development by the Digital Scholarship Lab and the Lazarus Project. It is designed specifically as an open source alternative to services such as Sketchfab, with a suite of tools designed to facilitate scholarship and research of 3D objects.

Examples
Tuatara Skull (ward project)
mbira (Sekuru’s stories)
Hunt-Lenox globe (NYPL)
Instructions and Features
How to upload 3D files into Resurrect 3D and upload them to WordPress sites
A quick overview of Resurrect3D’s advanced features

Pedagogy and Assessment

Accessibility Resources

Need Help?

This is just a start. We’re happy to help you discuss your site, find resources, and facilitate training. Feel free to reach out to the Digital Scholarship Lab or contact your Outreach Librarian.

Digital Scholarship Lab
Outreach, Learning & Research