How can AR and VR be used to design the learning worlds of the future?

Workshop ARVR.nrw-Offene Autorenwerkzeuge für kollaborative Lernumgebungen

In the workshop on the ARVR.nrw project on the topic of "Open authoring tools for collaborative virtual learning environments", the consortium consisting of the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, RWTH Aachen University, Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences and Bergische Universität Wuppertal was able to impressively demonstrate in the showroom of the Institute for Visual Computing (IVC) at the Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (H-BRS) how AR/VR can be integrated into learning environments in the future.

Workshop zum Projekt ARVR.nrw - Offene Autorenwerkzeuge für kollaborative virtuelle Lernumgebungen

Dr Jens Maiero (standing) in the workshop on the ARVR.nrw project Photo: Markus Oh/VR Code

With the Figments.nrw framework, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) content can be created, shared and taught. For this, the user does not need any programming or 3D knowledge. Use will be free, open and modular, with a first pre-release planned for late June/early July.

The numerous guests at the hybrid workshop were able to get thematically involved in the project "ARVR.nrw - Open authoring tools for collaborative virtual learning environments" and learn about the user-friendly operation on site using VR/AR glasses.

Marielle Ratter, Referentin für Digitalisierung in Studium und Lehre vom Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes NRW (MKW NRW)

Marielle Ratter (MKW NRW) Photo: Markus Oh/VR Code

In addition to guests from universities and colleges in North Rhine-Westphalia, Marielle Ratter, Head of Digitalisation in Studies and Teaching at the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia (MKW NRW), also took advantage of this offer in person in the showroom of the Institute for Visual Computing (IVC) at H-BRS.

The aim of the workshop was to present the developed teaching and learning framework to interested parties from science and industry.

Prof. Dr. André Hinkenjann im Workshop zum Projekt ARVR.nrw - Offene Autorenwerkzeuge für kollaborative virtuelle Lernumgebungen

Prof. Dr André Hinkenjann presents Fignemts.NRW. Photo: Markus Oh/VR Code

After an impressive demonstration of different VR learning worlds and teaching scenarios, which ranged from the visualisation of crystalline structures from the application field of material sciences to the design of own teaching content to collaborative learning in VR, it was shown that ARVR.nrw can be used across disciplines.

In the feedback/discussion round, the topic was examined from different angles. The participants recognised the need for the VR framework presented, endorsed it and are looking for solution proposals for further funding of the project, which is currently funded by the Digital University NRW (DH.NRW).