Staff and students returning to campus may have noticed the rainbow-coloured structure in the TDS foyer and wondered what it is.
Affectionately referred to as the Igloo, it’s a shared immersive space with potential to add depth and dimension to UNE’s teaching.
Through use of digital technology and virtual reality, the Igloo can improve collaboration between teams, provide versatile simulation scenarios ideal for training and education, bring engineering and design concepts to life using 360-degree visualisation and offer users experiences that engage, inspire and entertain.
While only about five metres in diameter, the cylindrical shape houses a 360-degree panoramic screen that can seamlessly render multiple content sources for presentations and detailed data visualisation, and can show full immersion virtual reality (VR) content without the need for individual headsets for each viewer. It has seating capacity for six or standing capacity for ten (with current Covid restrictions).
Purchased outright, it is part of UNE’s investment in personalised learning journeys that incorporate high quality, digitally-advanced teaching and learning experiences.
Adam Wayling, Associate Director IT Client Services, says the Igloo can be used to equip students with skills for future work in the STEM industries, and is a key development environment to help us build immersive learning materials for all of our disciplines.
“The popularity of shared VR is on the rise in education. Students walk into the Igloo, and because there are no VR headsets, they can engage with the content while still aware of the reaction of others around them, making for a far more engaging shared learning experience.“
Being an immersive space also allows the Igloo to function as a macro tool, linking teams and stakeholders with tools such as shared whiteboard/workspaces, charts, data visualisations, design tools and any other content that you may wish to spread across the impressive 15m wide wraparound screen.
“We’re only scraping the surface of the Igloo’s capabilities,” Adam said. “It has untapped potential to showcase key projects such as the UNE Boilerhouse, emphasise the depth and reach of UNE’s research capabilities and support essential Work, Health and Safety training amongst other things.”
If you want to learn more about the Igloo or attend a demo, email av-support@une.edu.au.