Upgraded Virtual Reality Room at Iowa State

Created by Dan Gilbert (Stanford University) on May 18, 2006

I am thinking about the implications for learning spaces connected to the new C6 room at Iowa State. 100 million pixels in what sounds like the most sophisticated virtual reality environment in the world. This Iowa State News Service article describes in depth the 10 foot by 10 foot by 10 foot cube that will be used to conduct sophisticated simulations for urban planning, weather simulations, and defense applications (sounds like DOD put some money into this.) Sounds about as close to the Star Trek Holodeck as exists today. This experimental space surely costs more than the $4million figure the article cites, but what are the implications when the price point drops down to $4,000? Perhaps this is 10-15 years off which is not that long when talking about the lifespan of a building.

Many of us believe that this kind of immersive environment holds great potential for reaching all kinds of learners. As always, the most important thing will be the social processes that surround this kind of tool. If the walls and floors of formal learning spaces start to be covered with pixels, what kinds of innovative practices can we come up with to use them well? What roles will the instructor have to take on? What elements of community can be enhanced by this immersive environment?

Thanks to Roland Piquepaille via Howard Rheingold for this pointer.

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		Upgraded Virtual Reality Room at Iowa State Created by Dan Gilbert (Stanford University) on May 18, 2006 I am thinking about the implications for learning spaces connected to the new C6 room at Iowa State. 100 million pixels in what sounds like the most sophisticated virtual reality environment in the world. This Iowa State News Service article describes in depth the 10 foot by 10 foot by 10 foot cube that will be used to conduct sophisticated simulations for urban planning, weather simulations, and defense applications (sounds like DOD put some money into this.) Sounds about as close to the Star Trek Holodeck as exists today. This experimental space surely costs more than the $4million figure the article cites, but what are the implications when the price point drops down to $4,000? Perhaps this is 10-15 years off which is not that long when talking about the lifespan of a building. Many of us believe that this kind of immersive environment holds great potential for reaching all kinds of learners. As always, the most important thing will be the social processes that surround this kind of tool. If the walls and floors of formal learning spaces start to be covered with pixels, what kinds of innovative practices can we come up with to use them well? What roles will the instructor have to take on? What elements of community can be enhanced by this immersive environment? Thanks to Roland Piquepaille via Howard Rheingold for this pointer. Learning Space Design \| virtual learning environment \| Virtual Reality Dan's blog Login or register to post comments 4099 reads
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