Class 10, Part 14: Summary - Immersive Education: Addiction in the Future

Summary:

         The interview starts off by briefly summarizing Professor Walsh's experience and history with computer based education initiatives and virtual reality at Boston College.  The article then moves on to discuss technical challenges that Walsh had  to overcome while establishing the Immersive Education Initiative.  In the late 90s students often did not have the necessary computing power on their personal machines to meet entirely in a virtual world. Nor did they have the available bandwidth to communicate.  Classes began as a hybrid in-person class mixed with some virtual reality and eventually evolved to near 100% virtual immersion.  Walsh is quick to point out though, that total immersion is not required or even necessary for students to succeed in his classes.

       
          Walsh also touches on the human challenges faced within an immersive education environment where some students thrive and others are hindered by varying degrees of comfort.  Walsh goes on to describe a future challenge to the Immersive Education approach to learning which he calls Immersive Illness.  Immersive Illness refers to an addiction to virtual worlds that can lead to social isolation, neglect, and even mental disorders.  Immersive Illness will naturally become more of a threat as advances in technology make virtual worlds/environments more accessible and compelling.
         

          At the time of this interview Walsh's focus was to bring the Immersive Education Initiative to more institutions around the world and have it be feasible and accessible.  He discusses the collaborative efforts being taken at the time to create an open standard and platform for educators to provide an immersive education experience.  Reducing the cost and complexity of such an undertaking is paramount to it's success.

See the full interview here:

• Virtual reality and higher education - Another perspective