The foundations of Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), are based on an artificial and digital environment provided by a computer in which a user’s actions determine what happens in the environment. This technology is an option for teachers who wish to incorporate instruction through experiential learning and give students real experiences who otherwise might not have the opportunity. Virtual Reality has been used across many industries as a form of training, such as medicine, pedestrian safety, construction, manufacturing, military training programs, tractors and machinery operation.
Dr. Justin Pulley, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Mechanics, will lead this research opportunity that will focus on developing new educational VR content and evaluating the User Experience, with the hope of introducing Agricultural Education teachers across the state to VR use of content in the classroom. By developing immersive content and using immersive technology to teach, we are engaging students in a different way than they have before.