Learning in a Virtual World

Jada Rodgers

Nov 5, 2021 · 2 min read

We are living in the age of technology. Most things are becoming digitized if they haven’t been already. We no longer have to wait to read the newspaper when everything is captured and posted on social media. We don’t need to develop our photos when our smartphone can capture an image instantly. And instead of attending in-person lectures, we all meet online.

Technology and media surround us, and they will continue to be relevant as the industry evolves. As it continues, it’s essential to be aware of the differences between these forms of media and technologies due to the latter’s ability to immerse us in the virtual world. A story told through a photo would feel different than one told through virtual reality. As a creator, it is crucial to know why one form is more immersive than the other.

The Reality Virtuality Continuum introduced by Paul Milgram is a scale that starts with reality and ends with virtual reality. Between the two lies Augmented Reality and Augmented Virtuality. As Milgrim explains, reality is when everything is a real-life object, Augmented Reality is when virtual objects overlay on top of reality, Augmented Virtuality is when real-life objects overlay on a virtual world, and Virtual Reality is when everything is virtual objects.

My series of posts aims to showcase the various forms of media within the Reality Virtuality Continuum. Starting with a form of media that captures reality, all the way to something completely virtual. The series titled Learning in a Virtual World will explore my point of view as a Media Production and Design student during COVID-19. I’ll be using the skills taught in the program to show a repeated narrative, with the Reality Virtuality Continuum slowly progressing through the pieces.

A copy of the paper Augmented reality: A class of displays on the reality-virtuality continuum by Paul Milgram, Akira Utsumi, Haruo Takemura and Fumio Kishino available here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228537162_Augmented_reality_A_class_of_displays_on_the_reality-virtuality_continuum

Jada Rodgers is a 4th-year undergraduate student in the Media Production and Design program, focusing on interactive media. Her interests include gaming, art, and media. She hopes to combine her interests and expertise with Interactive Media in the future. She has collaborated on numerous projects and studies throughout her undergraduate experience, including Augmented Reality-based learning and a Virtual Reality storytelling project about COVID-19.

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