When people hear the term, virtual reality (VR), many quickly conjure up an image
\n \u2014 \u00a0a person whose eyes are covered by a small, rectangular plastic box that is held
\n on by straps crisscrossing the top of their head. Although popular culture has made
\n it easy for people to picture VR headsets, innovative researchers and experts are
\n needed to envision educational uses of VR technology. From View-Masters to flight
\n simulators, artificial environments aren\u2019t new, however, today\u2019s increased affordability
\n and advancements in computing have evolved VR beyond entertainment or high-level training
\n to an accessible pedagogical tool. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Thanks to grants<\/a> from the Florida High Tech Corridor Early-Stage Innovation Fund and the University Virtual reality offers opportunities to explore in a \u2018no stakes\u2019 environment where Lindsay Persohn<\/p>\n Similar to smart phones, VR headsets utilize apps that are available in app stores Project lead Lindsay Persohn, assistant professor in Literacy Studies, states, “In The app\u2019s framework was inspired by Persohn\u2019s dissertation in which she studied the “Each encounter invites you to question, reflect, and think differently about the Howard Kaplan, associate director of USF\u2019s Advanced Visualization Center, led a team
\n of South Florida (USF) Sarasota-Manatee Office of Research, an interdisciplinary USF
\n team is contributing their knowledge and skills to develop the virtual reality adventure
\n game, World of Wonder: A Curious Journey<\/a>. This collaborative partnership includes USF faculty, staff, graduate student research
\n assistants in education, undergraduate computer science and digital art students and
\n local middle-grades youth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n mistakes are free \u2014 very much unlike their experiences in this world. <\/p>\n
\n to create a virtual experience. World of Wonder: A Curious Journey is a VR app prototype
\n where \u201ceach encounter invites you to question, reflect, and think differently about
\n the world around you.\u201d To advance through the story, World of Wonder users are immersed
\n in an illustrated world where they must solve problems such as deciphering a riddle
\n to identify the proper door key or build a vessel to cross a river.<\/p>\n
\n talking with youth about VR, they express excitement for the opportunity to take part
\n virtually in experiences that would be inaccessible to them due to timeline, \u00a0geographic,
\n economic, or other constraints, or impossible on planet Earth.”<\/p>\n
\n illustrations from Lewis Carroll\u2019s \u201cAlice\u2019s Adventures in Wonderland\u201d overlaid with
\n elements of Joseph Campbell\u2019s \u201cHero\u2019s Journey\u201d. This prototype aims to overtly use
\n the virtual reality environment as a space for youth to explore and develop solutions
\n to challenges they see in the world, such as economic insecurity, climate change,
\n and social-emotional health.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n world around you. World of Wonder challenges your thinking through interactive moments
\n that spark inquiry and imagination.” World of Wonder App Description\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n of staff and student developers and artists to create the app prototype. During this
\n process, the team utilized civically-engaged thinking to not only enhance the prototype,
\n but to also ensure that the app provides meaningful experiences for the user \u2014 middle
\n school aged students. \u201cIt\u2019s about human-centered design and human flourishing through
\n the use of technology and innovation,\u201d said Cheryl Ellerbrock Sarasota-Manatee campus
\n dean of Education. \u00a0<\/p>\n