Programming Highlights: VR/AR

Each year, technological advancements create more and more opportunities for innovation to be used across all industries. The education field is a prime candidate for these new inventions, which can immediately spark lots of interest, questions and concerns regarding possible outcomes. Therefore, every implication of a new kind of screen, learning tool, and perhaps AI somewhere down the road is a bold move. In acknowledgement of this, SXSW EDU is hosting a VR/AR track that will go into depth on what blending technology and education could mean for future generations. With a variety of different panels, speakers, sessions and more on the ever-growing topic, get a feel for what will be brought to the table this year by exploring some of the highlights outlined below.

In the summit, Who Wants to Outsource Relationships? VR/Chatbot/AI, speakers Ilan Ben Yaakov (MindCET EdTech Innovation Center), Renee Hobbs (Media Education Lab, Rhode Island University), Shlomy Kattan (Barbara Bush XPrize), Cecilia Waismann (MindCET), and Maria Chang (IBM Research) will examine the prominent question of whether or not technology will help resolve human empathy, the ultimate educational challenge.

The SXSW EDU program will bring a plethora of new ideas for both implementations and retractions of such advanced technology in our school systems, discussed by innovators and professionals all over the world. Here are a few highlights:

• The Future20 session, Making a Case for VR in the Classroom, investigates the infiltration of virtual reality into the mainstream and how students are becoming more familiar with the technology. Susan Kessler from Hunters Lane High School will outline the results of a case study conducted to observe student engagement and teacher adoption.


• In the panel, Field Tripping: The Future of Learning & VR, speakers Austin Mace (subVRsive LLC), Brian Bolinger (Texas State Historical Association), Sarah Hill (StoryUP) and Benjamin Schrom (Google) will discuss how virtual reality is currently being used in education, as well as the opportunities, limitations, and future of such innovation.


• The Future of Learning: Convergence of VR, AR, & AI is an industry talk led by Emory Craig (College of New Rochelle) and Maya Georgieva (Digital Bodies - Immersive Learning) that will explore the latest trends and signature immersive projects in VR and AR in education, including new platforms that are allowing students and faculty to have higher levels of interaction and create a deeply social experience.

In addition to the sessions highlighted above, a workshop will be held on how to create your own world within virtual reality using StoryHackers, a storytelling playground with tech tools. Led by Gabriela Brenes (Mik by TrackLabs) and Gia Castello (SeirenFilms), Guide to VR Worldbuilding will teach attendees how to use analog and digital storytools to prototype immersive experiences complete with audio, 360 pictures and text.

Continue to explore VR/AR programming scheduled for SXSW EDU and make your plans to join us March 5-8, 2018. Register to attend by Friday, January 12 to save $100 on the walk-up rate.

Photo by Kit McNeil.