4. Virtual Reality for Facilities Planning and Management
This is perhaps one of the most interesting areas for VR in higher education. Imagine if – instead of (or in addition to) – showing a static map or building a model, facilities planning and management professionals could show a 3D model – approachable by multiple angles, heights and views – of exactly how a new building, park, quad, field, etc. would look? It would be amazing. Want to tour the inside of a building planned for construction in 2020? Let’s go. Want to see the three different plans for the new stadium from a bird’s eye view? No problem.
This application of VR will also be a major benefit to fundraisers – VR and 3D models provide a perfect way to provide a first-hand experience of future plans.
5. Virtual Reality for Alumni Relations
It may be more difficult to get grads (particularly those who still enjoy reading the Sunday paper – gasp!) interested in experiencing their old stomping grounds with VR. But that’s not to say they wouldn’t enjoy the opportunity.
And what a way to experience recent changes to the campus grounds – new buildings, stadiums, parks, facilities, etc. – and also for school officials to respectfully solicit donations – than by providing a unique VR experiences of a planned facility upgrade, new scholarship or academic program, new exhibit at a museum, etc. The opportunities are many.
Wrap Up
Despite the two-to three-year adoption estimate, we’re going to continue to see a lot of innovation in virtual reality, and education professionals will be wise to embrace the potential of VR and find partners to help them figure out how VR can work to benefit their students, staff, parents and alumni.
References and Links
- Zack Mertz checks out three different VR headsets in this short video
- Homido Mini, Mini Virtual Reality Glasses for Smartphone, $15
- View-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack, $25
- HooToo 3D VR Virtual Reality Headset, $40
- 2016 NMC Horizon Report
- Press Release: “Consumer Excitement for VR is High”
- YouTube supports VR
- Microsoft Hololens is AR. There are many videos that explain the difference
- GoPro is taking pre-orders on this product. 360 video
[Editor’s note: This post was originally published on the Campus Bird Blog. Read more on their blog here: http://www.campusbird.com/blog/]
Zack Mertz is VP of Design and Production for CampusBird.
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