The XReality Center welcomes students, alumni, and faculty to participate in our Fall 2019 events. We offer hands-on workshops, open hour explorations, collaborative playgrounds, and special events with artists, performers and designers working in immersive mediums! Our team at the XReality Center hopes to provide The New School community with resources in the areas of virtual, augmented, and mixed realities. All sessions are held at the XReality Center, 71 Fifth Avenue, 9th floor unless otherwise stated and our event calendar is updated bi-weekly.
Reality Check: Orientation
In this hands-on workshop learn the fundamentals and language of AR, VR, MR, and 360 media. Explore the landscape of creators and award winning immersive experiences ranging from narratives, documentaries, games, music, data and drawing in 3D with our top of the line devices available in the lab. Try Magic Leap, Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift S, HTC Vive Pro and more.
XR and The Future of Immersive Learning
As we re-imagine education in the digital age, immersive computing may offer us a unique opportunity to transform learning. This session will review recent and upcoming developments in virtual, augmented, and mixed reality as well as a series of projects across the higher education landscape. The session will offer opportunities for questions and discussion. Following the session, faculty will have the opportunity to visit the XReality Center and try some immersive experiences.
Immersive Storytelling with 360 Video
In this interactive, hands-on workshop, we will review examples and explore key elements in the design of compelling 360° video experiences to gain a deeper understanding of immersive storytelling. We will learn and experiment with 360° video cameras, editing tools, and brainstorm project ideas. We will discuss, identify strategies, and use project-based cases for the implementation of 360° video in the learning environment and on campus.
Intro to Unity
In this introductory hands-on workshop, you will learn the basics of this popular VR and game development platform. Designed for those who have never used Unity before, we will provide an overview of the Unity interface, the asset store and customization features. The workshop will teach you how to create game objects, download and manage digital assets, add lighting and sound elements to your scene, and how to deploy your experience to your desired platform. The only required material for the workshop is a laptop with the latest version of Unity installed. You can download Unity for free to your computer here.
Virtual Reality, Digital Literacy, and Ethics
What is the future of digital literacy in a world where the virtual and physical will be equally real? How should literacy be defined when actual human experience is no longer the touchstone for reality? As VR and AR begin to transform the learning environment, we will face profound questions on digital literacy and ethical issues. This session will explore how the growing use of VR will require new forms of digital literacy. We will discuss the expanding importance of privacy, ethics, and cultural sensitivity questions posed by VR and AR. This session will begin with a short presentation leaving ample time for discussion.
Virtual Reality Playground
This is an introductory hands-on interactive session at the XReality Center. Experience VR applications and discuss opportunities for teaching and learning in and beyond the classroom.
Mixed Reality Playground
This is an introductory hands-on interactive session in the XReality Center. Experience MR applications with the Microsoft Hololens and Magic Leap One.
Open Hour Explorations
Open hour sessions are meant for hands-on exploration with the headsets and experiences in virtual, augmented, and mixed reality available in the XReality Center. The open hours are for students and faculty who have previously attended an orientation or class session and are familiar with how to use the equipment in the lab. The XR Lab assistant will provide support as needed.
Immersive Learning Series by Request
Review relevant examples and discuss ways to integrate VR/AR into the teaching and learning environment. Request a session for your department or team via the request form: Examples can focus on the use of VR/AR in Humanities, Social Sciences, Environmental Studies, Journalism, Art and Design, New Media Narratives or Suggest your own topic. For additional questions contact Maya Georgieva at maya@newschool.edu.
All sessions take place in the XReality Center, 71 Fifth Avenue, 9th floor. Please register for any of the sessions via the form. If you are unable to make the dates/times listed in the schedule or wish to meet one-on-one, you can request an individual session by writing directly to Maya Georgieva. Register for the above events here.
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