Virtual Reality as an Innovative Learning Tool for HEIs in Palestine

VIRTUAL REALITY AS AN INNOVATIVE AND IMMERSIVE LEARNING TOOLS FOR HEIS IN PALESTINE (TESLA) Nidal ABURAJAB Palestine Polytechnic University August 2019

TESLA TESLA is project co-funded by the European Executive Agency for Culture and Audio-Visual with the objective of implementing Technology into Palestinian Higher Education Institutions. an innovative capacity-building Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality is "...a realistic and immersive simulation of a three-dimensional conception of environments students to interact with the computer with minimal restrictions - broadly defined as the totality of student experiences that occur in the educational process. the environment that allow

Project overview: Education and technology are an interconnected. While education has not changed for years in terms of applied teaching approaches and techniques, We are witnessing a continuous innovation in terms of instructional technologies, ICT infrastructure, and the delivery methods related to education.

Project overview: The critical need or challenge is to be able to provide a solution for some taught courses where not only traditional learning is considered to be obsolete but also the current used technology is not sufficient to offer teaching/training for a certain category the optimal quality of

Project overview: The idea grew up when other Palestinian HEIs (PPU,QOU,AAUP) join the initiative launched by Al- Istiqlal University to develop a collective virtual reality component, giving it more depth and more challenges to overcome, especially that already its own courses, vision, and objectives. each university has

Project overview: In frame of the TESLA project, VR is expected to strongly support the following challenges: Providing outstanding visualizations that aren t possible in the traditional Providing controlled risk-free realistic learning scenarios. and and classroom simulations

Project overview: The project initially targeted a specific need University teaches some technical courses related to: Geography, topography, Forensics sciences and Physics The Palestinian partners will develop VR concept (pilots) based on the synopsis described.

Aims of the Project : Involving Palestinian HEI's in Research Movement related to Virtual Reality. Reduce cost of material related to experimentation and mobility issues. Reduce risks by offering environment and immersive learning experience. Involving Palestinian 3D Modellers and Programmers into the VR development process. Designing, piloting, and evaluating first courses which integrates the VR concept. simulated controlled

Project Work packages : The Virtual Reality project methodology based on instructional design process with a 5 - step process: - Capacity-building of the team - Development and implementation process - Piloting and conducting the change inside the Palestinian HEIs. - Quality assurance, dissemination, - Management.

Project Work packages : Preparation and training WP#1 Development WP#2 Quality assuranceWP#3 Dissemination and piloting WP#4 Management WP#5

Project Work packages : Training :starting with a capacity-building training for academics and for engineers. The academics training covers topics depending on advanced instructional design.

Why do we need i-design Strategies for VR instruction? Online learning developers must chose pedagogy and instructional strategy for creating the Virtual Reality experience. learners/students will have a cool experience in the Virtual Reality environment, but not have learning results. the correct learning Otherwise tangible 13

Project Work packages : The second wing of the training involves the selection of a suitable VR integrated enabling engineers to choose the best suitable environment within the available frameworks. The technical training also focuses on 3D modelling for virtual 3D open worlds.

Project Work packages : Development The work related to this phase will produce a technical term of reference for each VR - component on production. For each created scenario a specific approach to VR will be used to ensure the best learning-student experience.

Project Work packages : Based on the instruction phase Term(s) Of Reference the engineers is capable for starting work on the software engineering requirements for each VR components. The engineering work covers programming. design and core/logical Engineering applications includes 3D modelling and scenery, Core programming, GUI development. Term(s) Of Reference for the VR

Project Work packages : Piloting This transformation and lead them to the implementation of the Virtual Reality tools and methodology into instruction. assists the Palestinian HEIs to conduct the Adapting pedagogical content to include the VR sequences. Curriculum content and methodology modernization.

Project Work packages : Dissemination 1. Establishment of a Website for the project 2. Publication of Scientific Articles 3. Providing Technical and Instructional assistance to local, regional and EU institutions. 4. Creating training manuals for the VR Application. 5. Creating a scientific board for VR research. 6. Launching an Incubator Program for VR research 7. Awareness activities for VR exploitation. 8. Planning VR symposium research/National and International Conferences.

Project Work packages : Quality Assurance following handled by QA are: Evaluate surveys used for Institutions readiness. Evaluate awareness material. Evaluate training material content. Evaluate material delivery and impact. Evaluate dissemination and sustainability.

Project Work packages : Management Management will structure and facilitate the coordination of Work Package leaders by creating detailed guidelines for communication flows within the project, plan the communication, reporting structure, ensure a smooth information exchange between all the project partners and project stakeholders.

Project Sustainability : For the VR case we will see an increasing number of courses that it will be implement this new concepts into Palestinian universities. The components that will be piloted by this project will serve as a test pad for other new initiatives. Maybe the idea will also most likely applied into fundamental school where the concept will be also very interesting to explore with children.

Augmented reality (AR) - in augmented reality the visible natural world is overlaid with a layer of digital content Virtual reality (VR) - places the experiencer in another location entirely. location has been generated by a computer or captured by video, the experiencer s natural surroundings. Mixed reality (MR) is similar to augmented reality (AR) except integrated into the natural world Whether that it entirely occludes virtual objects are

a virtual representation of Avatar the experiencer within the virtual world. They are the audiovisual bodies that people use to communicate with each Metaverse. NPC (a non-player character) - in a game is any character that is not controlled by a player. Virtual World - digital spaces that can be explored from within, where users can navigate through, interact with objects, other users and AI bots. Users can exchange information via text, audio, still images, animation and video. - other in the

Curriculum -is broadly defined as the totality of student experiences educational process. that occur in the is an academic document that Syllabus communicates course information and defines expectations and responsibilities. A syllabus may be set out by an exam board or prepared by the professor who supervises or controls course quality.

What do teachers think about Virtual reality in the classroom?

Educational potential of ICT and Virtual reality New, sweeping changes that go far beyond what is envisioned in the standards. innovative content can support To enable access to vast volumes of scientific and technologic information and produces useful knowledge from it.

Educational potential of virtual worlds (3D) virtual worlds offer: New learning delivery channels Perfect multi-dimensional/sensory environment Hosting of tools for informal learning, coaching, brainstorming sessions allowing real time sharing and exchange

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