Virtual Reality Improves Students' Learning Experience

Utah State University Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Benjamin George has taken Virtual Reality to a new level, helping his students gain a better understanding of large scale projects. George will present at the Classroom Innovation Lab Speaker Series Wednesday, Feb. 7, from noon to 2 p.m., in Distance Education room 003. All USU faculty are encouraged to attend.

“VR is such a powerful tool to teach landscape architecture and is going to become a necessary skill professionally,” said George. “Being able to work with landscapes in 3D not only improves the user’s understanding of the subject, but also enhances their creativity during the design process.”

George uses drone-captured imagery to create a 3D model of a landscape, which students can then interact with in VR. Students are then able to design on top of the virtual 3D model, taking into consideration the physical and spatial context of the site in ways that they would normally be unable to.

“It’s great to see Benjamin take advantage of this technology available at USU, and see the benefits it has on students,” said Robby Sproul, classroom innovation engineer. “We’re excited to have him come to the lab so faculty can see in person how VR is being used on campus.”

After George’s half hour presentation, faculty will have the opportunity to experience hands-on all of the classroom technology available in the Classroom Innovation Lab, such as virtual and augmented reality, 360-degree video, write-on walls, the Microsoft Surface, and more. Students are the greatest benefactors of this technology by being able to learn complicated material through different, powerful perspectives.

Contact: Robby Sproul, 435-757-0520