Virtual Reality and Immersive Environments

Most of all of the work we have done in this course is about immersing the viewer within the instruction. The classic example Dr. Wilcox shows are slides full of large ducks and small cats existing in space next to the content the learner is trying to absorb; those slides are quite disorienting to the viewer! Well, take this idea one step further, and you've got virtual reality (VR). 

Information

The Oculus Rift (OR) is the current VR frontrunner, boasting "the ultimate interactive experience with a 90 degree field of view in a headset that fully obscures the wearer’s view". With the 3-dimensional head tracking sensors (for yaw, pitch, and roll), the headset is able to pinpoint where the user's head exists within the software environment. 

Excerpt from OR manual

Besides the hardware/software genius of the Oculus Rift, there are some basic fundamentals needed in order to provide the learner with an immersive experience. If you are interested in creating an immersive experience (via a simulation or role-playing game), these tips will help extend belief in your learners:

• Include heavy storytelling, with good speed of the world/storyline is crucial
• Include a complete, continuous experience; no cut scenes or black fade outs
• Develop the scale, and provide detail to help maintain the believability of the scene
• Spend a good amount of development on the movement, visuals, and reactions of the body of the player

Just as with our interface design projects, a virtual reality project would need to follow similar guidelines when designing for the user experience (UX):

• Clearly detail the requirements of the module
• Develop the user flow
• Have a strong understanding of not just how a user will progress, but why they will make specific choices
• Create alternate design mockups
• Create wireframes and presentation decks for iteration loops between the design team (including UI, UX, Art Director) and engineering teams (front and back end developers)

Here is a video showing how virtual or augmented reality can become a true reality. The video is only 3 minutes long and shows many uses, but there is a specific section devoted to a Just-In-Time training tool:

• Minute 2:10- 2:30 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wv9k_ssLcI
• “If there are needed adjustments or preventative maintenance required, the technician can be provided with step-by-step instructions on how to make the required adjustments, or if maintenance is needed and part replacement is required, the technician might be provided with 3D work instructions.” [link to article]

More Research

I've completed some research regarding other VR hardware/software offerings and have a few notes about them here. Feel free to investigate further, if you are interested:

• Virtualizer (omnidirectional treadmill [ODT])
• 360-degree locomotion
• Virtuix Omni VR treadmill (omnidirectional treadmills [ODTs])
• 360-degree locomotion
• a platform that’s just 48 inches (1.2m) across.
• Vuzix M100 (smart glasses)
• hands free operation
• alliance with Wikitude (SDK for AR apps)
• a geo-based AR engine
• image recognition/tracking services
• 3D model presentation capabilities
• Leap Motion (gesture recognizing device)
• Your hands need to be directly in front of the Leap
• The range of detection is limited (must stay centered to the device)
• Review against the current iteration of the device
• Wii Remote (infrared sensor/controller)
• Motion sensing capability allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on a screen
• Gesture recognition through the use of an accelerometer and optical sensor technology
• Ted Talk on Wii Remote Hacks

Questions

Given all of this background knowledge, where do you think the Virtual and Augmented Reality fields are going? Is education a viable VR/AR environment? 

How about the instructional design of such devices. 

Is there some overlap between website/tool interfaces and virtual interfaces? 

Which design elements will likely not work in virtual reality? 

How can you overcome the input shortcomings of these tools (no option for mouse clicks or touch screens)? 

My personal impression, at least for the smart glasses and Oculus Rift, is that voice and image recognition (think QR code scanners, or Aurasma) will lead the input of these devices. The interfaces will need to be minimalist, possibly showing only one option at a time (think of the singular physical iPhone button), which means the software will have to be developed to intuitively present options based on what the user is doing from moment to moment. This is different from our current expectation in that we tend to lead our learners through modules/tools; whereas in VR/AR, the interface will need to follow the learner.

Andee Final Interface

This is my final interface,with changes made based on feedback.  I changed the background (after fooling around for hours with dozens).  Not sure if I like the plain color better than a photo and will have to think on this for the website.  I did reduce the number of page formats as well.  The Ball, Fields and Goalie pages will be links to documents and these are what I am thinking the docs will look like (keep consistent with web page design).  They still have a pictures background.  Wanted there to be slight difference to identify web page and document.  May change that.

Sarah Peachey- Final Interface

Sam Dowell Interface Design Final

Hi Everyone,

Here is my final design for my web interface. The text for each slide is not a complete representation of what will be shown on the exact website. Since ppt slides don't scroll down I only included a snippet of info for each slide.

Amanda Dudley Final Interface Design

Hello,

Based on my peer review feedback, I lightened the background so that my work would stand out more. I also altered my title alignment to left and added the JMU seal and color block at the top of my navigation, to add more color.  Below are images of my interface design (all of the links work properly).  Thanks!