Rose
One positive experience from this project was the opportunity to dive into this new technology. It was exciting for me to explore the possibilities of creating a VR learning experience. I found ways to integrate other technology like videos and PowerPoint into Spatial which helped me work around other issues like not being able to find quality 3D objects. I am proud that I experimented with different ways of presenting within Spatial and used multiple spaces. The highlight of this project was exploring the 3D content and possibilities even though I did not discover some of them until later in the project. Did you know Adobe Dimension is a 3D rendering and design software? I was able to export 3D images of signs from it, open them in Photoshop, add text, and resave it as an object to import into Spatial. Adobe has another emerging technology application, Substance 3D, that could be useful in creating props for the VR environment. It was not part of my Creative Suite so I did not try it out.
Thorn
Technology problems were a negative experience for me in this project. My original vision was to record our project overview and presentation while interacting in Spatial with the whole team. This did not work out due to sound issues and repeated crashes on my MacBookPro. I repeatedly had issues with my sound not recording through Spatial. It worked when I recorded using SnagIt, but every time I would get together to try recording a video as a group, I would get a message “Uh, Oh! Something went wrong….”. My guess is that the issues were related to my internet connection and maybe because I work on a MacBook Pro. Other technical issues persisted too. For example, I could not use Spatial in the Chrome browser because my avatar was not controllable and would walk around in circles. I struggled with finding quality 3D content. This may have been partially due to my paranoia about downloading free graphics from unknown sources.
While I ultimately figured out how to maneuver and work with elements in the space, the process was frustrating. I’m wondering if it would have been easier if I had a VR headset and may end up ordering one for Christmas to test it out.
In my opinion, barriers to a successful VR team project are managing the scope of the project with time constraints. Communication, collaboration, technology issues, and time management also contribute to barriers or success of a project.
Bud
Overall this project was fun for me on several levels. First, this project brought together many of the concepts we have been learning and gave me an opportunity to practice them. Through this project I was able to see approaches like design thinking, learning theories, and instructional strategies and how they all can work together to help manage the processes of IDT and create an effective learning experience in a VR environment. Second, VR projects rely heavily on the environment to be successful. Many opportunities for creativity within the environment exist. The environment is a critical part to the success of a VR environment. Areas of opportunity for engaging IDT students in VR environment design and development could include a medical training scenario, virtual field trips or history lessons for K-12, and even business scenarios for customer service training. Regarding my VR emerging technology project experience, it could have been improved by evaluating the technology during one of my tool reviews and becoming more familiar with it prior to the project. Also, knowledge about where to find safe, reliable, and quality 3D objects would have improved my experience. Opportunities for growth abound in VR environment design and development.
