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VR Campus Resources

Library VR Equipment

Integrating VR into your classroom can enhance learning experiences, foster engagement, and inspire curiosity. Use these guidelines to make your VR sessions safe, effective, and easy to manage.

  1. Choose Appropriate Content: Select VR software that aligns with your lesson objectives. Review available programs before adding them to your curriculum to ensure they suit your students' learning needs. Resources like Bodyswaps and VictoryXR are excellent educational tools and offer immersive content tailored for student engagement. 

    1. Bodyswaps: Bodyswaps VR is an immersive training platform that uses virtual role-play to develop soft skills, allowing users to practice communication, empathy, and critical thinking in realistic scenarios.

    2. VXRLabs by VictoryXR: VXRLabs is a VR platform designed for immersive education, offering virtual classrooms, science labs, interactive field trips and more. The software offers simulations covering subjects like biology, history, space exploration, criminal justice and much more.

    3. Learn more about Bodyswaps and VictoryXR in additional sections of this LibGuide. 

  2. Hardware Set-Up Time: Quest for Business (the mobile device management system installed on all library headsets) will automatically walk students through how to set up their headset - adjust head straps, lenses, and settings. This process should take no longer than 5–10 minutes. Planning for this extra time will help students feel at ease and minimize distractions once the lesson begins. 

  3. Prepare the Classroom: VR experiences are more enjoyable and safer with sufficient space. Aim to provide at least 5’ x 5’ per device, ensuring students have ample room to move without bumping into desks or walls. While VR can be used seated or standing, standing is often preferable for mobility and immersion. Test your intended program in advance to determine which position works best for your specific lesson.

  4. Use VR in Pairs: Running VR sessions in pairs or small groups can streamline setup time and foster teamwork when it aligns with your learning objectives. Pairing students reduces the number of devices in use and encourages collaboration, discussion, and shared learning, making the experience more interactive and impactful.

  5. Reflection and Discussion: Setting time aside after a VR session for group discussion can help students process what they’ve experienced, connect it to the lesson’s objectives, and learn from each other’s insights. Group discussions can deepen understanding and encourage critical thinking about the content they’ve explored.

  6. Consider Screen Casting: Use screencasting to enhance group learning. Most library-borrowed VR devices allow casting to nearby TVs or projectors, enabling the entire class to view what one student (or teacher) is experiencing. Screencasting encourages group discussions and peer feedback, adding an additional layer of engagement.

    1. See the ‘Screen Casting’ section of this LibGuide for more information. 

  7. Ensure Devices are Charged: Devices borrowed from the library are typically pre-charged, but it’s a good idea to double-check. Make sure each VR device is connected to its USB cable within the charging cart and that the cart itself has been plugged into a wall outlet for at least two hours. This quick check helps avoid disruptions and ensures all devices are ready for uninterrupted use.

Clean and Charge: A quick cleaning can go a long way! If time allows, clean the headsets to maintain hygiene and prepare for the next use. Use alcohol wipes to remove smudges from the lenses and a non-corrosive cleaner (such as Windex or Simple Green) on the headset body. Encourage students to return devices to the cart and connect them to USB charging cables when finished. If you have time before returning the cart to the library, plug it into the wall for 1-2 hours to help ensure everything is ready for the next group.

This section provides an overview of how to set up, use, and maintain the VR headset for a seamless experience. It covers charging and preparing the device, creating a suitable play area, on-screen setup instructions, and safely ending each session. Additionally, it offers guidelines on cleaning and storing the headset to ensure longevity, with a caution to keep the device out of direct sunlight to avoid lens damage.

A step-by-step guide on how to set up and use VR devices:   

  1. Unplug headset from charging cable and remove from cabinet or storage case 

  2. Find a clear space of no less than 5’ x 5’

    • VR works best standing!

    • You can also use VR seated, but it may be more difficult to fully interact with simulations 

  3. Power on headset 

  4. Place headset on face and grab both hand controllers 

  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish set up 

    • Pair controllers 

    • Adjust lens depth 

    • Adjust head strap fit 

    • Adjust lens spacing 

    • Create session passcode 

      • This will allow you to take a break from your VR sessions without losing your data. Your session will only end once you ‘end session’. 

    • Create playspace 

      • Look at floor

        • Important: If the purple cross hatches do not appear on the floor, touch the ground with one of the controllers. 

      • Confirm floor level 

      • Draw room scale boundary 

        • Using the trigger on either controller, trace a bounding box of ~5’ x 5’ around yourself.  

        • Select confirm 

  6. Press Meta Button to open menu to select VR application 

    • Learn more about available software programs in subsequent sessions of this document. 

Ending VR Sessions:

  1. Select red exit button in the bottom right corner of the menu 

  2. Select ‘end session’ 

  3. Power off headset

  4. Return headset to charging cart and attach headset to USB charging cable

Audio:

  • All VR devices use built-in speakers. Volume keys are located on the bottom of the headset. 

  • You can also use wired and wireless headphones with Meta VR devices. 

  • An AUX jack can be found on the side of the headset. 

  • Wireless/Bluetooth headphones 

    • Open menu using icon in bottom right corner of main screen 

    • Select ‘Bluetooth’ 

    • Select ‘Pair new device’

    • Put Bluetooth headphones in pairing mode 

    • Select device from menu 

    • Select ‘Pair’ 

Using VR Controllers: 

  • All VR programs/software use the same basic controller layout but function slightly differently. The best way to ‘learn’ how to use VR is to get in and give it a try!  

Cleaning: 

  • Use alcohol wipes to remove smudges on headset lens 

  • Use non-corrosive (Windex, Simple Green, etc) cleaners to clean body of headset 

Charging: 

  • VR headsets take between 2-3 hours to fully charge

  • Connect headset to charging cable after each use

Caution: Sunlight can cause irreversible damage to VR lenses. Never place a VR headset in direct sunlight.

 

Bodyswaps VR is an immersive training platform that uses virtual role-play to develop soft skills, allowing users to practice communication, empathy, and critical thinking in realistic scenarios. Bodyswaps offers immersive VR simulations focused on essential soft skills training: Communication: Active listening, clear communication, public speaking. Leadership: Inclusive leadership, conflict resolution, feedback, negotiation. Diversity & Inclusion: Gender inclusion, racial awareness, anti-harassment. Career Development: Job interview practice, growth mindset, resilience. Healthcare: Team collaboration (TeamSTEPPS), mental health communication, patient empathy.

For a complete list of simulations offered by Bodyswaps, check out their website. https://bodyswaps.co/library

Integrating Bodyswaps VR into a class as a supplemental teaching tool can be highly effective for courses in communication, psychology, business, healthcare, career readiness and more.. Below are a few potential ideas to consider when implementing Bodyswaps into your class:

  1. Align with Course Objectives: Choose Bodyswaps modules that fit course goals. For example:

    • Communication or Psychology Classes: Use communication and DEI simulations.

    • Business or Management Classes: Incorporate leadership and negotiation modules.

    • Healthcare Programs: Integrate healthcare-focused simulations for patient interactions.

  2. Pre-Simulation Preparation:

    • Brief students on the specific skills they’ll practice in VR and discuss the real-world importance.

    • Set up pre-simulation activities like reading materials, discussions, or role-play exercises to familiarize them with the context.

  3. VR Sessions:

    • Schedule designated time for VR simulations, allowing students to experience Bodyswaps individually or in small groups.

      • See ‘Using VR in the Classroom’ for more information regarding VR simulation integration

    • Encourage students to complete the simulations multiple times to observe improvements and address any challenging areas.

    • Alternatively, divide students into small groups and have them take turns using the simulations. After each student has completed their session, bring the group together to discuss their experiences and share what they learned.

  4. Reflection and Discussion:

    • After each VR session, hold a group discussion or reflective journaling activity to process the experience, challenges, and learning points.

    • Use questions like, “What did you find most challenging?” and “How would you apply this skill in real life?” to foster deeper insights.

  5. Assessment and Feedback:

    • Assess students based on their engagement, self-assessment, and reflections rather than on VR performance, as the goal is skill development.

    • Provide feedback on their reflections and progress, noting improvements in confidence and communication over time.

  6. Integration into Projects:

    • For advanced classes, have students apply what they've learned from Bodyswaps in real-life scenarios, such as mock interviews, presentations, or team-based projects.

    • Students could document their learning journey, connecting VR experiences with practical applications.

  7. Continuous Improvement:

    • Regularly gather feedback on the VR experience and make adjustments to improve alignment with learning goals.

    • Consider incorporating Bodyswaps into an assessment framework or class project for continuous skill application.

    • Report back to your VR project lead by citing positive experiences as well as places for improvement. 

VXRLabs is VictoryXR's flagship virtual reality platform, designed to transform traditional education by offering immersive, hands-on learning experiences. With VXRLabs, students and educators can explore interactive 3D environments across a range of subjects, including science, history, math, literature, career and technical education (CTE) and more. Key features include:

  • Virtual Labs and Simulations: Students can conduct virtual experiments, dissections, and simulations in a controlled VR lab environment, ideal for subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics.

  • Global Field Trips: VXRLabs provides virtual field trips to historical sites, cultural landmarks, and natural wonders, allowing students to explore the world without leaving the classroom.

  • Interactive, Multi-User Spaces: The platform supports individual and multiplayer experiences, enabling students and teachers to collaborate, interact, and learn together in a virtual setting.

Curriculum-Aligned Content: Each experience is designed to complement classroom learning and enhance students' understanding of complex topics with interactive, 3D visualizations.

For a complete list of VXRLabs simulations, click here: VictoryXR Subscripton Index: 2024

VXRLabs is VictoryXR's flagship virtual reality platform, designed to transform traditional education by offering immersive, hands-on learning experiences. With VXRLabs, students and educators can explore interactive 3D environments across a range of subjects, including science, history, math, literature, career and technical education (CTE) and more. Key features include: Virtual Labs and Simulations: Students can conduct virtual experiments, dissections, and simulations in a controlled VR lab environment, ideal for subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics. Global Field Trips: VXRLabs provides virtual field trips to historical sites, cultural landmarks, and natural wonders, allowing students to explore the world without leaving the classroom. Interactive, Multi-User Spaces: The platform supports individual and multiplayer experiences, enabling students and teachers to collaborate, interact, and learn together in a virtual setting. Curriculum-Aligned Content: Each experience is designed to complement classroom learning and enhance students' understanding of complex topics with interactive, 3D visualizations.

Integrating VictoryXR into Classes 

Integrating VictoryXR into a college-level class can enhance learning with immersive 3D environments, making complex concepts more engaging and accessible. Here’s a step-by-step guide for incorporating VictoryXR:

  1. Match with Course Objectives:

    • Identify modules in VictoryXR that align with course objectives. For example:

      • Biology or Anatomy: Use virtual dissections or life-size 3D models.

      • History or Anthropology: Explore historical locations and artifacts.

      • Physics or Chemistry: Simulate experiments that demonstrate complex theories.

  2. Pre-Session Preparation:

    • Brief students on the learning goals for using VictoryXR, introducing any foundational concepts needed to understand the VR material.

    • Assign preliminary readings, videos, or worksheets to ensure students are familiar with the topics they’ll explore in VR.

  3. Structured VR Sessions:

    • Schedule sessions in a VR lab or other equipped area, allowing students to explore individually or in small groups.

    • Organize the sessions to let students engage in guided activities, such as labeling parts of an anatomy model or observing a virtual lab demonstration.

    • If space or time is limited, split students into small groups where they take turns using the VR system while others observe or complete complementary activities.

  4. Post-VR Reflection and Analysis:

    • After each VR experience, hold a group discussion or reflective writing activity to reinforce key insights.

    • Ask students to share their observations and consider how the VR experience contributed to their understanding of the topic. Questions like “How did VR enhance your understanding?” or “What surprised you?” can encourage deeper reflection.

  5. Assessments and Knowledge Application:

    • Use quizzes or short assessments to gauge students' comprehension of the VR content.

    • For project-based courses, ask students to create presentations, papers, or projects based on their VR experiences, demonstrating how they can apply the knowledge in real-world or hypothetical scenarios.

  6. Interactive Group Activities:

    • Design activities where students collaborate based on their VR experiences, such as group presentations or debates.

    • For STEM fields, consider assigning students to design a mock experiment or research project that builds on concepts explored in VR.

  7. Regular Feedback and Adaptation:

    • Collect feedback on the VR experiences to understand their impact on learning outcomes and engagement.

    • Adjust VR integration as needed, based on student input and course goals, to maximize educational value.