oVRview Project: the future of virtual reality in education and training

Funded by CLICKNL with PPP program allowance

With Max Louwerse, Professor of Cognitive Psychology & Artificial Intelligence and Scientific Director of DAF Technology Lab at Tilburg University.

The oVRview project attempts to take an illuminating look at pressing issues within virtual reality training, using current social aspects in education and training. This ambitious project combines basic research, industrial research and experimental studies. The ultimate goal is to understand how the quality of virtual reality affects how people experience it and how well they learn through it. Professor Max Louwerse, the driving force behind this project, shares his vision and goals.

THE PROJECT

The project focuses on the following research questions:

Modularity: How can we design VR simulations so that educational content can be easily modified? For example, how can we add new topics or modify existing content after the simulation has already been created?
Cross-device: What are the requirements to consider when developing a VR simulation that can be used on different devices, such as VR headsets, CAVE systems and cell phones?
Quality: How does the quality of a VR simulation affect user experience and learning? Researchers are looking at how the quality of virtual reality simulations affects users' experience and how effective they are for learning. This is an area where not much research has been done.
Directions: How can we integrate virtual characters into a VR environment to enhance the learning process? People are investigating how virtual people can be used as smart guidance systems in educational VR environments.

Collaboration

The oVRview project grew out of shared interests of both scientific and societal partners, including technology companies and educational institutions. The core of this project lies in the collaboration between these partners. The synergy between these different stakeholders ensures not only scientific soundness, but also practical applicability in society. This collaboration, although previously sporadic, has now gained a solid foundation thanks to the oVRview project.

Funding for the oVRview project means improved understanding of how virtual reality can best be used in training and education. It also brings technology companies and educational institutions together to think about the future of virtual reality.

Dreamed outcome

The ultimate goal of the oVRview project is not only to create a VR simulation accessible to school students, but also to gather knowledge that will enable the development and evaluation of future VR simulations. In a world where artificial intelligence and virtual reality are rapidly evolving, it is crucial that education and training use innovative methods such as immersive content.

...Max, what do you think the creative industry will look like in 2070?
I already find it difficult to paint a detailed picture of the creative industry in 2030, let alone that of 2070, given the rapid developments in artificial intelligence and virtual reality. But my hope is that within a few years new and innovative teaching methods, including immersive content, will become the norm, bringing about a revolutionary change in the way we learn and train.

*We will keep an eye on the 'oVRview' project, and will be happy to inform you about developments and updates!