In Fall 2017, Instructional Technology Services (ITS) at San Diego State University (SDSU) launched the Virtual Immersive Teaching and Learning (VITaL) initiative, providing a variety of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and 360º-video immersive tools for use across the SDSU pedagogical spectrum. Today, VITaL serves as an incubator to enable experiences that would be out of reach—if not impossible—in a traditional learning environment, including low-frequency, high-risk scenarios simulating life-threatening medical conditions, celestial events in outer space, and scientific phenomena occurring at the micro scale. The new VITaL Learning Research Studio (LRS) promotes experimentation with curriculum design and the scholarship of teaching and learning in a flexible, collaborative, and technology-rich environment. In its inaugural year, the VITaL initiative facilitated immersive teaching, learning, and research in 26 courses across all seven colleges at SDSU. Beyond the use of VITaL for teaching and learning, ITS is collaborating with universities and industry partners to study the impact, expand the knowledge base, and foster a community of practice around this emerging field.

Through VITaL, ITS provides access to an array of immersive technologies, including VR and AR head-mounted displays (HMDs), VR-capable computers, mobile VR backpack technology, 360º cameras, and Google Cardboards for smartphone VR capability, shown below:

Explore our VITaL Space:

VITaL Courses

Courses utilizing VITaL range from 100-level undergraduate to 700-level doctoral classes, and represent all colleges at SDSU, including College of Arts and Letters, College of Education, College of Extended Studies, College of Engineering, College of Health and Human Services, College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts, College of Sciences, Fowler College of Business, and Weber Honors College.

In Fall 2017, the following courses/faculty utilized the VITaL immersive learning technologies:

• Art 544 – Emerging Technology Media, Mark Siprut, College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
• Art 700 – Studio Art Jewelry/Metals, College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
• Astronomy 101 – Principles of Astronomy, Gur Windmiller, College of Sciences
• Astronomy 109 – Astronomy Laboratory, Gur Windmiller, College of Sciences
• Computer Science 596 – Advanced 3D Game Design, Steve Price, College of Sciences
• Computer Science-490 – Senior Seminar, Steve Price, College of Sciences
• Journalism and Media Studies 472 – Media Technology & Society, Noah Arceneaux, College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
• Learning Design and Technology 525 – Virtual Reality, Bernie Dodge, College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
• Humanities 409 – The Future, Linnea Zeiner, College of Arts and Letters
• Nursing 206 – Fundamentals of Nursing Practice, Mike Gates, College of Health and Human Services
• Nursing 300 – Nursing Care of the Acutely Ill Adult, Mike Gates, College of Health and Human Services

In Spring 2018, the following new courses/faculty are slated to use the VITaL immersive learning technologies:

• Art 296 – Photography & Visual Communication, Mark Siprut, College of Arts and Letters
• Astronomy 101 – Principles of Astronomy, William Welsh, College of Sciences
• Doctor of Physical Therapy 760 – Neurosciences, Sim Baweja, College of Health and Human Services
• Geography 583 –  Internet Mapping & GIS, Ming-Hsiang Tsou, College of Arts and Letters
• Honors 413 – Hacking the Future, Rebecca Coates Nee, Weber Honors College
• Hospitality & Tourism Management 475 – Commercial Recreation & Attractions Management, Gene Lamke, College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
• Journalism and Media Studies 527 – Spatial Journalism, Amy Schmitz Weiss, College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
• Journalism and Media Studies 567 – Augmented Reality Advertising, Yang Feng, College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
• Learning Design and Technology 515 – Games, Play, and Learning, Bernie Dodge, College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
• Management Information Systems 482: Information Technology Projects – Robert Judge, College of Business
• Mechanical Engineering 240 – Introduction to Engineering Materials, Wenwu Xu, College of Engineering
• Physics 400B – Introduction to Electrodynamics, Lyuba Kuznetsova, College of Sciences
• Physics 552 – Modern Optics and Lasers, Lyuba Kuznetsova, College of Sciences
• Rick Bizzoco, Professor of Biology – Capturing Volcanic Steam Research 360º Footage, College of Sciences
• Teacher Education – The Center for Research in Mathematics and Science Education (CRMSE) – TeachLivE Teacher Education Simulation, College of Education

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VITaL Research Initiatives and Presentations

Fall 2017 VITaL research initiatives and presentations include:

• School of Nursing: Nursing HoloPatient Virtual Standardized Patient Study
• Using Virtual Reality to Explore Transborder Student Experiences
• Department of Astronomy: Phases of the Moon VR Lab Exploratory Study
• UBTech 2017, Orlando, Florida: “What’s Next? How Emerging Technologies Shape Learning Space Design“
• DET/CHE: Virtual Immersive Teaching and Learning (VITaL): “We’re Only Limited by Our Imagination”
• CSU Tech Innovation, Education, and Exchange 2017: “Opportunities & Challenges in Designing & Implementing Campus VR/MR Projects”

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VITaL Student Organizations

In addition to the courses above, the following new student organizations were launched in partnership with the VITaL initiative:

• Aztec Game Lab
  • President: Nathan Danque (co-founder)
  • Vice President: Barry Evans (co-founder)
  • Faculty Advisor: Steve Price, Computer Science
• Virtual Reality Club SDSU
  • President: Neha Nene (co-founder)
  • Vice President: Sierra Morehardt (co-founder)
  • Faculty Advisor: Patty Kraft, Computer Science

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VITaL Events

In 2017, ITS hosted/co-hosted several immersive learning events, including:

• California State University (CSU) Immersive Learning Summit 2017
• 2017 SDSU University Senate Instructional and Information Technology (IIT) Committee Showcase
• SDSU Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) Lunch & Learn: “Virtual Immersive Teaching and Learning” 
• 2017 Explore SDSU Open House
• SDSU Instructional Technology Services VR Knowledge Share
• SDSU XR Showcase

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If you are interested in partnering with ITS on our immersive learning projects or want to find out more about this initiative please get in touch with Rudy Arias, ITS Project Manager.