On Oct 4, 2020, Dr. Xinhao Xu and Ms. Fan Yu‘s discussion on the VRO2 preliminary results were shared on The Versatilist Podcast. This is an official Podcast of The Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN) that aims to share and discuss the latest news in immersive learning.

During the Podcast, information about the iSchool, background and purpose of the research project, the virtual environment and activities created for the project, and more importantly, the design of the project,  and the preliminary results regarding pre and post-surveys, participants’ behaviors, and details of the follow-up interview with the participants were shared. Click the link below and find out more: Online Orientation in Virtual Reality for Graduate Students: A Discussion of the Preliminary Results

We would like to give our special thanks to The Versatilist and iLRN for inviting our researchers to be the guests in the Podcast. More information about them? Click below:

The Versatillist Podcast Website

iLRN (Immersive Learning Research Network)

We created a 3D Virtual Environment for celebrating the College of Education class of 2020 on May, 15.

Watch the video to see more details：

https://www.facebook.com/mizzoueducation/videos/244944256776559/

Last October, TELL members hosted 2 presentations and 1 roundtable at AECT conference 2019.

The first presentation was entitled “The Creations of a Virtual Campus – Enabling Online Education with VR“. It was part of the D&D division and discussed strategies for promoting the use of virtual reality in higher education. In this presentation, Hao explained how TELL members designed a 3D Virtual Reality Learning Environment (VRLE) with OpenSimulator emulating some of the buildings of the University of Missouri campus. The 3D VRLE for distance was created to host a student orientation for online graduate students.

The second presentation was entitled “An Evidence-based Study on the Confidence and Cognitive Load in a 3D VR Teacher Education Environment“.  In this presentation, Hao presented the results of an empirical study performed as part of a research project developed funded by the STAR grant. The presentation included the development process of the VRLE for the study, how the researchers collected the data for the study, results from data analysis, and a discussion of the implications.

A roundtable entitled “Virtual Media Gallery: Engaging Online Students with Simple VR Activities of Low-Cost” was led by Jhon. Strategies to engage students with self-developed activities and open-source software were discussed.

                                                                                                                                                                                                       Hao introducing the results of the study in one of the presentations

Jhon leading a round-table of AECT conference 2019

Furthermore, a presentation was entitled “An Interactive 3D VR Microfabrication Cleanroom Lab Training“. Dr. Xu introduced the background of the lab, participants and general procedure of this training, and the future plans.

Middle school students from St. Louis area were invited to Mizzou to have an inside look at the college experience and all the benefits of pursuing a college degree.

TELL group members hosted the worshop entitled “Orientate Yourself in Virtual Reality” where students could experience a 3D virtual reality (VR) world developed by the group. Students used their avatars (virtual characters) to get to know SISLT professors and explore the virtual buildings of the College of Education.

1. Dr. Xu introducing TELL Lab to middle school students

2. Students changing the appearance of their avatars

3. Students controlling their avatars to locate their physical room in the VR world

4. Students having fun in the VR world