This campus has a long history with virtual reality going back to the original CAVE operated by Beckman at the Illinois Simulator Lab from 1995-2018. Now 25 years later it’s possible to take an entire course featuring weekly VR Labs that replicate an archeological dig.
See the short video describing Professor Shackelford’s Virtual Archeology Course.
Medical studies are another common use for virtual and augmented reality. The Jump Simulation Center, opened in the updated Everitt Lab in 2018, is creating new and innovative simulation technologies transforming the way healthcare professionals learn.
“We are striving to become national leaders in simulation. Even though others are training in medical simulation itself, the advanced simulation technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality, is something that we have a unique strength in here at Illinois. There are very few centers like this throughout country that provide such a wide range of simulation educational and training tools.”
Kesh Kesavadas, Co-Director, Jump Simulation Center
In the past few years we’ve seen a growing interest in the potential of using head-mounted virtual and augmented reality headsets for instruction across our campus. These technologies allow students to have an experiential learning opportunity without leaving the classroom. Common examples include virtual site visits and tours, immersive applications like Organon for studying anatomy in a virtual environment, virtual meeting spaces for language studies, and many more.
VR@Illinois
photo credit UI Public Affairs: Zwicky, Fred
VR@Illinois is a collaborative initiative to support virtual, augmented, and extended reality teaching, research, and exploration at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Core support is provided by members from the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (CITL) and University Library’s IDEA Lab and Media Commons, backed up by investments and expertise from campus Technology Services. The VR@Illinois website provides a variety of support options and facilities for faculty and students interested in working with virtual and mixed realities.
Active Teaching and Learning with Virtual Reality
Additional virtual and augmented reality links
VR@Illinois channel on mediaspace.illinois
Team creates game-based virtual archaeology field school
Virtual reality provides new tool for fashion design class
VR Catalog at LAS
Jump Simulation Center at the College of Engineering
Virtual reality program lessens physical side effects of hemodialysis