The Law Library filmed a 360 video in the courtroom located in O’Brian Hall. We are now working with Quantum Interface to be able to edit and upload the video to our VR headset. Quantum Interface’s software will allow us to integrate notes, quizzes, and other features into the 360 video.

JPEG of opening scene from 360 video

JPEG of Jury

Using Immersive VR in Social Work Education
This mini-course will provide instructors with an introduction to immersive Virtual Reality (VR) and how to integrate it into their courses. The course begins by addressing the benefits of using VR in Social Work education. It then provides some introductory definitions of what VR is. Next we explore how VR is currently being used in Social Work education and practice. Once this foundational knowledge is covered the course turns to instruction on the technical skills needed to effectively navigate immersive VR technologies. Portions of the course are designed specifically for the use of the Oculus Quest platform, but the learning strategies we discuss will be applicable to other VR devices. Once these skills are covered, we will consider how to effectively integrate VR into Social Work courses. This will include an overview of the specific affordances that VR offers to engage students and enhance learning outcomes. Instructors will evaluate how they might use VR in their courses and develop an implementation plan for effectively integrating VR into their courses. The course will conclude with strategies and resources for continued learning about VR and how the technology is evolving and being integrated into education.

Course Link: Using Immersive VR in Social Work Education

School of Social Work uses virtual reality for doctoral program: The newest installment of the School of Social Work’s world of virtual reality (VR) — the simulated mental health clinic.

UB’s Doctor of Social Work program honored for innovations in virtual reality: The DSW program won first place in the 2023 SUNY Effective Online Practices Award Program, which showcases the best online practices, strategies and teaching and learning activities across the State University of New York (SUNY) system.

Anatomical models represent an important component of medical education. With a 4000-year history, medicine has utilized metals, wax, papier-mâché, and plastic to represent the human body for educational purposes. Before dissection became more widely available, before detailed illustrations and photographs were developed, and long before computerized 3-dimensional (3D) renderings appeared, anatomical models provided individuals with a stable, safe, and accurate method of anatomical study.

Thanks to the efforts of the University Libraries' Immersive Experences Group, many of our anatomical models have been digitized in 3D and made available online. To view the entire digitized collection, visit our site on Sketchfab: https://sketchfab.com/ublibraries

Immersive Experience Group Project Proposal - Envisioning the Body Project Proposal

Empire State Immersive Experiences (ESIE) is a service of the Western New York Library Resources Council (WNYLRC). It provides a host software platform for 360-degree images of places, locations, and objects. These images are searchable using the extensive metadata uploaded with the images and can be transformed using editing tools to add directional inputs and hotspots.

For example, a library which takes several 360-degree images of various spaces and rooms in their library can effectively link them together using the editing tools in the software and provide informational hotspots and layers of information to provide their patrons with a virtual “tour before you go” orientation.

ESIE can be viewed in a VR headset or on desktop or mobile device. Mobile devices can use their gyroscopes to provide motion-based navigation, and VR headsets can navigate by using the hand controls to traverse the tours.

ESIE Digital Repository

Immersive 716 is a project offered through the Experiential Learning Network and mentored by a team of UB librarians. Students can pick one of two themes (The North American Great Lakes or Exploring the History of Buffalo), and work with the mentor librarians to choose a location, conduct research about the significance of the area, take 360° photos, and create 360° tours and an optional ArcGIS StoryMap or Canva graphic.

A series of professional development modules sponsored through the Minnesota College and University system were offered to 25 participants from throughout UB and SUNY who learned about creating 360° video and interactive augmented reality.

Immersive Learning Project