Extended Reality Lab Opens, Stocked with Latest Tech for Education

New Jersey Institute of Technology has a new Extended Reality (XR) Laboratory on campus, where students and faculty can learn to use augmented- and virtual-reality as a learning and teaching tool.

The lab is now open in Guttenberg Information Technologies Center, room 1402, across from the NJIT makerspace. It's operated by the digital learning office and complements Ying Wu College of Computing's MIXR Lab, where researchers study XR itself, on the third floor of the same building.

"The goal is to create not just a lab, but also to keep in mind how can we support integrating XR into teaching and learning," explained Joel Almoradie, emerging technologies integration specialist. "It's not just having the technology but also the pedagogy to go with the proper use of the technology. I've seen a lot of places where they set up the facility, they have the technology, but there's no pedagogical support … where you have the XR as part of the teaching and learning."

Almoradie said he started by studying academic XR labs around the country and found that Arizona State University, Central Connecticut State University and University of Michigan are among the best, so he aimed for their level. In addition, while NJIT's lab will initially be for faculty and student use, options for staff use will likely follow, said Justine Krawiec, director of learning technologies. Advocating for emerging technologies university-wide is part of the Information Services & Technology department's strategic plan, she added.

Training for hands-on skills is where the lab could shine. For example, extended reality could supplement Makerspace training on industrial machines, show proper techniques in a chemistry lab or help tell a story in the library. Applications of such technology abound, from the Center for Pre-College Programs to NJIT's New Jersey Innovation Institute, Almoradie and Krawiec noted. Even LIDAR technology is possible, where students scan 3D objects and import the files into extended reality software.

In addition, "Something that we're working on, to possibly push forward for the fall [2024] semester, is a proposal process for XR," Krawiec said. "We've been touching base with different XR-related vendors to see what's actually out there and what could hypothetically work for different subject areas. If a faculty member is interested in incorporating some type of XR, and if we find a vendor that has something off-the-shelf or that has a no- or low-code development solution, that we can work with them to put something together and collaborate with the faculty member in a way that they can actually incorporate that XR content or curriculum into their actual curriculum."

However, students in one NJIT course, Forensic Science 307, are already using the new laboratory. The course is taught by Kevin Parmelee, professor of practice in chemistry and environmental science, who is also a former police detective.

In teaching students about the new tools, "The extended reality lab provided the perfect atmosphere for this experience. The forensic science students were provided safety training and directions on the use of the equipment. The students were very excited to participate in this experience, but it was even more pleasant to hear the positive feedback," he said. "After years of work on this project it appears NJIT has a new and innovative way to teach crime scene investigation to its students, while also providing a unique opportunity for the student developers."

Parmelee noted that Informatics Assistant Professor Margarita Vinnikov, along with Hillier College of Architecture & Design's Manager of Emerging Technologies Michael Kehoe, were both also key to establishing the collaboration between their departments and his. Funding came from a Martinson Foundation grant.

Arwa Ouali, a first-year chemical engineering major from Kearny, toured the lab at a recent open house event and came away impressed after trying the equipment for her first time.

"I was really interested in virtual reality because I've seen a lot of videos and ads, like from Meta, so I really wanted to experience it," Ouali said. "I really enjoyed it. I think it's really interesting how you can be transported into a different area. I was in a lab and it felt like I was actually participating and cleaning pipettes. It was able to explain the process and then you're actually doing it. I think it's definitely a good way to teach people about process engineering."

NJIT community members interested in learning more can find technical articles here.

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