This document outlines the details of a virtual reality project for a class. Students will work in groups of 1-4 to develop a VR concept for science, education, or science communication. They will create a prototype and present their project in December. Students are encouraged to collaborate with teachers or researchers. The document provides information on content creation tools like Unity3D and photo/video and compares their capabilities. It describes an in-class group assignment to generate VR use case ideas and find project groups. Students are given a homework assignment to form project groups based on shared interests.

1. VIRTUAL REALITY FOR SCIENCE & EDUCATION
LECTURE 5: 9 OCT 2015
Project kick-off

2. REVIEW

3. Final project
• Groups of 1 - 4 people
• Developing aVirtual Reality concept for science / education /
science communication.
• Realizing a prototype of your concept.
• Project presentations: Friday 4 Dec or 8 Jan 11:00?
• Possibility to present on symposium on 22 January
• Collaboration with teacher or researcher is encouraged

4. Project planning
• Brainstorming
today
• Defining an area of interest and forming a group
before class 6
• Shaping an idea for your project and developing a concept
class 6 and onwards
• Realizing a prototype of your concept
class 7 and onwards

5. VR content creation
OTHERUNITY3D PHOTO /VIDEO

6. VR content creation
UNITY3D
Combination of 3D
designing and coding
environment
Integration with Rift,
Cardboard, Leap Motion,
Kinect, etc.
Many tutorials, guides
and assets.

7. VR content creation
PHOTO /VIDEO
RicohTheta or GoPro-
based setup
Spherical photos
3584 * 1792 - 2D
Spherical videos
1920 * 1080 - 2D
15 fps, max 3 min
Workflow similar to
regular video

8. VR content creation
OTHER
WebVR
vvvv
ExistingVR
applications where
users create
content
?

9. VR content creation
OTHER
WebVR
vvvv
ExistingVR
applications where
users create
content
?
UNITY3D
Combination of 3D
designing and coding
environment
Integration with Rift,
Cardboard, Leap Motion,
Kinect, etc.
Many tutorials, guides
and assets.
PHOTO /VIDEO
RicohTheta or GoPro-
based setup
Spherical photos
3584 * 1792 - 2D
Spherical videos
1920 * 1080 - 2D
15 fps, max 3 min
Workflow similar to
regular video

10. VR content creation: comparison
PHOTO /VIDEOUNITY3D
Full control of
environment
Many interactive
possibilities
Full 3D, high quality
Time consuming
Capture reality
Less interactive
Currently not 3D, lower
quality
Easier to create
OTHER
Platform
dependent
COMBINATIONS

11. VR content creation: learning
• Students have different backgrounds
• Different projects require different technical solutions
• Lots of learning material available online

12. Group assignment I
Generating ideas (40 minutes) – groups of 4-5 people
• Write down 5 - 10 specific and potentially valuable use cases forVR in science /
education / science communication in the Google Sheet
• Ideas should be feasible with currently available hardware
Selection (10 minutes)
• Select 5 interesting ideas from all groups and write down your name in the
Google Sheet
In-depth discussion – groups of 2-5 people (30 minutes)
• Group formation around selected ideas
• Further discuss idea, how it usesVR, the feasibility, possible embedding in
education or research, possibilities for collaboration, creation of content, etc.

13. Homework assignment
• Form a project group of 1- 4 people.
• A common area of interest should be the most important bond of a
group.
• You can use the #projectideas channel to describe your interests and
help you in finding a group.
• Take into consideration the technical aspirations of your group and the
abilities of your group members.
• Create a private Slack channel with your group members and me in
which you briefly explain your interests.