Merced College Unveils its Latest VR Laboratory
Merced College has proudly unveiled its new virtual reality lab, Dreamscape Learn, marking a significant milestone as the first community college in California to establish such a dedicated facility. This state-of-the-art virtual reality classroom and development centre, launched thanks to the dedication of faculty members and a fortunate turn of events, is now open to students enrolled in biology classes for the Fall 2024 semester. The curriculum will expand to include other subjects in the coming semesters.
The grand opening was celebrated with a public ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 9, drawing a large crowd of faculty members, local dignitaries, and community members. Attendees were given the opportunity to explore the new technology, offering a glimpse of what many students will experience this semester.
Merced College is committed to being one of the most innovative community colleges in the nation, providing equitable educational opportunities for all students. Through its partnership with Dreamscape Learn, the college is introducing a unique, interactive, and dynamic learning experience that promises to transform the approach to teaching and learning. Dreamscape Learn, developed in collaboration with DreamWorks Motion Pictures co-founder Walter Parkes and Arizona State University President Michael Crow, combines the power of emotional engagement and storytelling with the potential of VR technology to create experiences previously unimaginable for most students.
Research indicates that the Dreamscape Learn VR platform significantly enhances student learning. Complex concepts become clearer, and classroom lessons are understood more deeply after students engage with them in the virtual environment. The facility features a modernized space with two primary sections: the Immersive Classroom and the Free Roam experience area.
The Immersive Classroom is equipped with rows of desks, each with VR headsets and controllers, where students receive story-focused supplemental lessons. The first to benefit from this classroom are Biology 1 students, who embark on a multi-stage adventure in an Alien Zoo, simulating the work of real scientists as they diagnose and assist a population of fantastical creatures. Although this is the only course integrated at the start, plans are already in place to expand the curriculum to include Art History and Chemistry.
The Free Roam experience section offers a more expansive virtual reality experience, allowing users to move freely in a spacious room equipped with hand and feet sensors, environmental effects such as wind, spray, and vibrating floors. This setup facilitates deeper immersion and unique group activities. During the ribbon-cutting event, participants enjoyed an adventure in an ancient temple, retrieving a valuable relic in a scenario reminiscent of an Indiana Jones film. The experience left attendees impressed and eager for more. Additionally, the Free Roam area includes computer stations where students can develop their own VR experiences.
The Dreamscape Learn launch attracted several notable dignitaries and top educators, including State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, who previewed the technology before it was made available to students and the public. Many attendees eagerly tried out the cutting-edge technology, quickly transitioning into a state of playful immersion.
The lab’s unveiling highlighted Merced College’s strengths and potential for the future. The event demonstrated the college’s leadership in innovative learning technologies, with Thurmond noting the incredible nature of the technology and expressing pride in Merced College’s role in leading the nation with this type of learning.
Carmen Ramirez, a member of the Merced College Board of Trustees, emphasised that the college is not just a place for students to pass through, but an institution that will inspire excitement about the future. She highlighted Merced as a place worthy of investment, not just a stopover. President Vitelli expressed his satisfaction with the presentation and the positive reactions it received, envisioning Merced College as a model institution where others can experience this remarkable technology. He affirmed that the students deserve this level of innovation, and bringing such technology to Merced College is a source of great pride for the institution.
