With a the growing use of digital learning tools, virtual reality is transforming education by providing students with immersive experiences that were once impossible in traditional classrooms. At UMD, students can now rent a Meta Quest 2 Virtual Reality (VR) headset for both educational and pessonal use. VR enhances learning by allowing students to explore ancient artifacts, take virtual trips to Mars, or study 3D anatomy—there’s an app for all of it on the Meta Quest.
Faculty at UMD are also integrating VR into their teaching. In Fall 2023, Professor Edward Downs taught a semester-long course in virtual reality. His class, Demystifying Psychophysiology, followed a traditional structure with writing assignments, slideshows, and textbook readings, but all coursework was completed through Meta Quest headsets. Read more about Professor Edward Down's Demystifying Psychophysiology course in VR at UMD professor teaches semester in virtual reality.
To give students hands-on experience with VR, UMD ITSS is hosting Virtual Reality Open Houses throughout the Spring semester. Students can drop by Kirby Plaza 175 to explore VR applications, games, and experiences.
Spring VR Open House Hours:
Located at Kirby Plaza 175
- Mondays: 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Wednesdays: 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Fridays: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Find events & more info at Virtual Reality at UMD