Abstract:

Have you been thinking about experimenting with Virtual Reality (VR) teaching in your classroom? Join us for a discussion about what we have learned from our use of VR to teach about the human past. This seminar will examine how VR can enhance student engagement, foster spatial and visual learning, and provide immersive, hands-on experiences that may be lacking in traditional teaching methods. As technology continues to advance, it is essential that we examine and discuss both the fascinating theoretical foundations and the broad practical applications of VR in the classroom.

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This seminar will be guided by insights from our pedagogical research. We will discuss VR’s role in teaching archaeology, particularly how it enables students to interact with 3D reconstructions of ancient sites, improving their spatial awareness and comprehension of past physical contexts. By immersing students in digital environments, VR can replicate aspects of fieldwork, making archaeological education more accessible and inclusive. We will also present some theoretical underpinnings of VR in education, emphasizing embodied and experiential learning, as well as spatial and visual learning. VR enhances cognitive engagement by allowing students to move through virtual spaces, manipulate digital objects, and develop a deeper understanding of complex subjects.

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We will touch briefly on the use of VR in education beyond archaeology. From architecture and science to engineering and medical training, VR offers a dynamic approach to learning that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications. However, integrating VR into the curriculum presents several challenges, including technological barriers, costs, and accessibility concerns. We will discuss these limitations and explore potential solutions for making VR a more feasible and effective tool for educators. During the event, there will be demonstrations of VR usage in educational settings and participants will have a chance to try our VR headsets with their immersive tours.

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By the end of the event, the goal is for attendees to enhance their understanding of the educational value of VR and develop practical strategies for incorporating it into their own teaching. Whether you are new to VR teaching or are already experimenting with its application, this seminar will provide a place to discuss how immersive technology can transform the ways we teach and learn. We look forward to an engaging conversation and the opportunity to collectively reimagine the future of education through VR.

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Speaker's Bio:

Prof. Peter J. Cobb is an assistant professor in the School of Humanities in the HKU Faculty of Arts who researches archaeology and digital humanities. He has conducted archaeological fieldwork in Armenia, Laos, and Turkey, focusing on the Late Bronze and Iron Ages (1600 BCE–600 CE) in the Eastern Mediterranean and Southwest Asia. As the director of the Ararat Plain Southeast Archaeological Project (APSAP), he collaborates with the Armenian Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, applying digital methods like 3D spatial data collection and data science to analyze ancient material remains. Prof Cobb teaches courses on archaeological methods, theories, and the ancient world, including an experiential learning field school in Armenia. He also serves as Deputy Director of the BA program in Humanities and Digital Technologies at HKU.

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For information, please contact:
Ms. Miffy Leung, TALIC
Phone: 3917 8182; Email: miffylhy@hku.hk

Join us on Alumni Day to explore the AR Memory DC App, an interactive way to engage with the hidden and often-overlooked histories of the National Mall.

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Use the AR function to discover virtual historical markers and uncover stories beyond traditional memorials. Check the map to find all available locations and dive deeper into history.

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We welcome your feedback to help improve the experience!

Please join us to experience two virtual reality exhibitions through VR headsets. The exhibitions were created by students of AMER 2052 - Studies in US Culture and Society and cover the following topics:

1. Populist Nationalism and Media in the United States

2. U.S. Wars: Vietnam and Afghanistan

3. Resilient Communities: Native American Survivance and Cultural Revival

4. African Americans, Inequity, and the U.S. Criminal Justice System

 

All are welcome. 

Abstract:

In recent years, virtual reality has been embraced by storytellers working in fiction, and/or documentary realms to create memorable, immersive experiences. Viewed through head mounted display (HMD) goggles, a VR story world is spherical in nature, unfolding in 360-degrees around the spectator who experiences a sense of presence in the world. This phenomenon, which is fostered by VR technology, transforms story into simulation for a viewer who may be able to directly interact with characters or objects. 

 

Noting the experiential nature of VR projects, this presentation seeks to explore the storytelling techniques, structures and approaches to narration that contemporary works adopt. It will focus on ‘environmental storytelling’ (Carson 2000; Jenkins 2004) a concept drawn from theme park and video game discourse, discussing how this is evident in a range of recent case studies. Specifically, the presentation will consider how VR stories allow users to ‘enact narrative’ and/or how narrative may be drawn from objects that are discovered by the user.  These environmental storytelling techniques will be interrogated alongside narrative strategies that are commonly utilised in VR, such as the use of voice over or direct address to the spectator, to question the specificity of storytelling in this interactive medium.

 

Speaker's Bio: 

Associate Professor Kath Dooley is a writer/director and academic based at the University of South Australia. Her creative work has screened at events such the Busan International Short Film Festival and the International Festival of Virtual and Augmented Reality Stories (FIVARS), Toronto. Kath is author of Virtual Reality Narratives: Embodied Encounters in Space (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024), Cinematic Virtual Reality- A Critical Study of 21st Century Approaches and Practices (Palgrave Macmillan, 2021) and co-editor of Screenwriting for Virtual Reality (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024). Her research interests include embodiment in the context of screen media, virtual reality and screenwriting, women’s screen industry practice, and diversity in the screen industries. 

We will discuss two of Professor Kath Dooley's recent publications and explore the challenges and opportunities of pursuing creative work at a research university. Please read the following two papers before the seminar:

 

1. Dooley, Kath, Stayci Taylor, and Craig Batty. “Crafting Immersive Experiences: A Case Study of the Development of Three Short Narrative Cinematic Virtual Reality (CVR) Projects.” The Palgrave Handbook of Script Development. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing AG, 2021. Pages 503–515. Available at HKU library.

2. Dooley, K. (2024). Virtual Reality Narration: Listening to and Reliving Stories Through First-Person Testimony. In: Virtual Reality Narratives. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. Available at https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-64965-3_3 .

 

Kindly register here (HKU Portal login required), or email Stephanie Wong (swsswong at hku.hk). 

In this workshop, we will view and discuss two VR documentary films by Professor Kath Dooley: Inside Earthship Freo (2019) and Impact: Beyond the Night Sky (2020). Together with the filmmaker, we will explore the process of writing and directing for VR at the example of the two films. We will also look into the technical aspects of VR filmmaking and challenges and opportunities of distribution. 

 

Speaker's Bio: 

Associate Professor Kath Dooley is a writer/director and academic based at the University of South Australia. Her creative work has screened at events such the Busan International Short Film Festival and the International Festival of Virtual and Augmented Reality Stories (FIVARS), Toronto. Kath is author of Virtual Reality Narratives: Embodied Encounters in Space (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024), Cinematic Virtual Reality- A Critical Study of 21st Century Approaches and Practices (Palgrave Macmillan, 2021) and co-editor of Screenwriting for Virtual Reality (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024). Her research interests include embodiment in the context of screen media, virtual reality and screenwriting, women’s screen industry practice, and diversity in the screen industries. 

Since the arrival of consumer grade virtual reality (VR) technology

around 2015, VR has emerged as a new narrative medium. This

workshop introduces how narrative VR can be used for teaching

and learning in the humanities. We will begin with a brief

introduction to modern VR technology and VR film. Drawing on a

virtual field trip to the United States and two introductory

courses taught at HKU, I will provide examples of how I used VR as

a complementary tool to teach history and contemporary social

issues in the United States. All participants will receive a VR

headset to experience all VR films discussed in the workshop.

Finally, we will consider best practices of using VR for teaching

and learning and look at an example of a VR exhibition that was

created as a student assignment in a recent course.

Participation is limited by the number of VR headsets.

- Tim Gruenewald

The Arts Tech Lab is organizing a workshop on Unreal Engine. Participants will discover the tools, techniques, and workflows that power today’s most engaging real-time experiences. Experience the technology that powers stunning virtual worlds using the latest Unreal Engine 5 features, including Lumen and Nanite.
Break free from traditional linear CG workflows and embrace the power of procedural production with our Houdini workshop. Designed for Educators, 3D artists and students, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge and skills to create groundbreaking digital content.

For more information, click here. 

 

About the Trainer

Douglas Leong is the founder and Director of Radiance60, an Unreal Authorized Training Center in Singapore. As an Unreal Authorized Instructor, he trains top studios and institutions worldwide. With a focus on Asia, Douglas is a frequent speaker at industry events like SiggraphAsia and Unreal Educator Summit. He has also shared his expertise with organizations like the Brunei Economic Development Board and the United Architects of the Philippines.