Virtual Reality: What is VR?

What are some examples of how VR can be used in the classroom?

Virtual Reality can be used for immersing yourself in a computer generated environment, this can be used for various forms of simulations and entertainment. Here are a few examples:

• Health Sciences: Run simulations in patient situations
• Engineering: VR can be used as part of the design process to enable engineers to view their designs in 3D and gain a greater understanding of how it works.
• Medicine: Virtual simulations for medical training and education in a safe environment. Can also be used to visualize scans up close and in 3D.
• Architecture & Construction Design:  Walk around 3D visualizations of building sites
• Automotive: Driver simulations!
• Public speaking: Practice your skills in front of a virtual audience first.
• Field Trips: Visit Mars!
• Other: Data visualization.

Virtual Reality is a fully computer generated environment that gives you an immersive experience of being in that environment. Immersion into virtual reality is a perception of being physically present in a non-physical world. The perception is created by surrounding the user of the VR system in images, sound, or other stimuli that provide an engrossing total environment.

1. What is the difference between Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)?
   Virtual Reality (VR) implies a complete immersion experience that shuts out the physical world. Using VR devices such ast HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, or Google Cardboard, users can be transported into a number of real-world and imaged environments.
   
   Augmented reality (AR), on the other hand, adds in digital elements to a live view often by using a camera on a smartphone. Examples of augmented reality experience include a Snapchat lense or the game Pokemon Go.
    
2. Who can use the VR services?
   The Madigan Library and Educational & Emerging Technologies' VR equipment are available to Pennsylvania College of Technology students, faculty, and staff.
    
3. What can I do with the VR services?
   You can use the Gear VR to view VR content, this includes apps, games and content from course curriculums.
    
4. How much does it cost?
   The service is free to use for PCT students, faculty, and staff.