iSchool Hubs Immersive Experiences

The iSchool is using browser-based virtual reality platforms (i.e. Spatial, FrameVR) to give students, faculty, and staff an easy way to learn, collaborate, and build highly customizable immersive environments that are accessible on any modern device. While they can be experienced with a VR headset, these environments run entirely in a web browser with no account login or special headset needed. Participants can use voice or text chat, and rooms can hold multiple people at a time.

This initiative is part of the iSchool’s commitment to provide an educational experience that is high tech, high touch, and high quality. 

Just click on the link to enter any browser-based virtual room. You’ll find an embedded tutorial that explains how to navigate using your mouse and keyboard. 

iSchool Student Hangout - This large public space has multiple restricted audio zones for private conversations and an easy teleport system to multiple locations. There are areas for small group meetups, presentations or talks, exhibits areas, and an AI librarian chatbot.

See more examples from the links below. Visit the Children Draw War, Not Flowers  exhibit below that showcases the work of Ukrainian children. It’s an excellent example of the power of an immersive experience, that is also hosted in FrameVR. You might also want to check out The Banned and Controversial Gallery, some of which was migrated from Mozilla Hubs to Spatial. (Want to create an exhibit room on the topic of you choice for the gallery? We’d love to link to your room. Just email the team at ischool-vr@sjsu.edu) 

Virtual Reality Exhibit Gives Voice to Ukrainian Children and Librarians (FrameVR)

The San José State University School of Information launched Children Draw War, Not Flowers in spring 2024. This pioneering virtual reality art exhibition showcases the resilience and experiences of Ukrainian children affected by war, while highlighting the role of librarians and cultural heritage preservation during conflict. 

This browser-based VR experience allows visitors to explore a powerful 3D environment featuring poignant artworks by Ukrainian children aged 4 to 16, reflecting the realities of war through imagery. Virtual galleries display the destruction of Ukrainian libraries, underscoring their vital roles as humanitarian and cultural centers. Viewers are immersed in frontline videos documenting the ongoing ravages of war.

Spearheaded by Dr. Anthony Chow and Assistant Professor Ulia Gosart, and created by graduate assistants Kelly Rausch and Sara Clair and student interns Jonathan Velazquez and Tania Isidra Damaso, the project was made possible through collaborations with Ukrainian libraries, organizations, and initiatives.

This virtual exhibition is viewable using your web browser across devices though best experienced using desktop computers or VR headsets. 

Please, share this link to support Ukrainian children and librarians while amplifying awareness of their unwavering courage amidst adversity.

Children Draw War, Not Flowers link: https://framevr.io/ukraine-exhibit-sjsuischool

Other Examples of Immersive Experiences (Mozilla Hubs)

For creating immersive experiences, the iSchool originally hosted Mozilla Hubs open-source code on our own servers. When Mozilla discontinued their Hubs project, however, we began the move to FrameVR and Spatial which are similar platforms. There were too many student developed spaces to showcase here, but below are a few examples of what was created in Hubs.

Exploring Hubs Room

The picture above was the Exploring Hubs Room, created by iSchool student Molly Fitzell as an interactive space for curious users to explore the toolbar features in our instance of Mozilla Hubs. The underwater environment was chosen to highlight one of many bonuses to using a VR environment for gatherings. How often do you get to meet people underwater? Don’t be afraid to dip your toes in the VR environment; the water is warm!

CPGE 2022 Student Conference Room

The Student Conference room pictured above was created in Hubs to connect students across the college and promote student work. All students currently enrolled in the two academic departments in the College of Information, Data and Society (School of Information and Department of Applied Data Science) are encouraged to submit presentations about their school projects or work experience to the conference. This virtual reality space was created to showcase the students’ presentations in a fun and interactive way. Visit the Student Conference website for more information, or to submit a proposal for this year’s conference.

ALiVE! Room

Are credentialed school librarians going away? Not a chance! The ALiVE! Room pictured above was created in Hubs as an alternative meeting and exhibit space, illustrating the related mission “…to investigate what a 21st century school library and learning commons can contribute to teaching and learning across the school and beyond.” Join us and showcase your best practices for school learning to share with administrators, board of directors, teachers, parents, and librarians. To learn more, check out the website at: https://sites.google.com/view/alivesuperschoollibraries/home