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The primary teaching objective was to enhance awareness on the Overview Effect as part of a wider discussion on the sustainability and equity of human activity in outer space, through the mediation of immersion and enjoyment (Lin et al. 2020). This was also an opportunity to develop the digital skills of students by introducing them to virtual reality software and familiarising them with the Meta Quest 2 headset.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Working with two staff and equipment from the Humanities eLearning Team, I ran a seminar using Meta Quest 2 virtual reality headsets to engage students in an immersive outer space experience. The session ran in three parts, beginning with an introduction to the headsets and software (First Steps<\/a>), followed by students running two programs on outer space (Mission ISS<\/a>; Space Explorers<\/a>). We then ran a virtual debrief (vTime XR<\/a>).\u00a0<\/p>\n In lectures I had already spoken to the students about the Overview Effect as described by astronauts, which encouraged them to imagine the perspective of seeing the Earth from space, a perspective that most of us are unlikely to have ourselves as space travel remains for the privileged few. Watching the spacewalk allowed students to go beyond merely imagining themselves in a different world, toward creating an immersive sense of seeing this perspective themselves via the digital realm. Exploring the space station gave them an opportunity to situate this perspective by exploring where the astronauts live and work when in low earth orbit.\u00a0<\/p>\n None of the students had used virtual reality headsets before and so the first half of the session was focused on familiarising them with the headsets. To address this challenge and further develop their digital skills, students were allowed to take the headsets home and use them for the rest of the month.\u00a0<\/p>\n Following the <\/span>session<\/span> and<\/span> working with the teaching<\/span> and learning team I <\/span>conducted two surveys, one <\/span>immediately<\/span> after<\/span> the session<\/span> and one at<\/span> the <\/span>end of the month. <\/span>I <\/span>received 8 responses for<\/span> the<\/span> first survey<\/span> and<\/span> 9 for the second survey. <\/span>I also discussed the session with students in class and <\/span>using <\/span>discussion<\/span> tool<\/span> Piazza. D<\/span>ata was coded thematically to collate positive experiences and challenges <\/span>identifi<\/span>ed<\/span> by the<\/span> students<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0View student comments in the Student Feedback section below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”3.17.6″][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Student Feedback” open=”off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” link_option_url_new_window=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” background_video_pause_outside_viewport=”on” text_shadow_style=”none” box_shadow_style=”none” hover_transition_duration=”300ms” hover_transition_delay=”0ms” hover_transition_speed_curve=”ease” text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em”]<\/p>\n POSITIVE EXPERIENCES <\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n Immersive \/ perspective<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \u201cI was surprised at how immersive an experience it was – I thought that I would be able to separate the view from the real world but found it surprisingly hard not to feel like I was *in* the view. I’ve seen views of Earth from the ISS\/orbit before but it was very different seeing it through the headset, and I found it much more “real”. I was not expecting it to feel so different!\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cGood to see things in that perspective, very realistic. The space walkers video put everything into scale\u201d <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI did not realise it would be so immersive, it was really cool to be able to pick stuff up and move around in the VR simulation\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHow immersive it felt!\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n Beauty and awe<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \u201cMy experience was that it felt really real and the earth looked beautiful\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe nothingness of space was particularly striking juxtaposed with the awesomeness of the Earth\u201d <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSeeing Earth from outer space makes me realise how fragile earth is\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe endless nothingness and darkness was striking and quite shocking. That put into perspective how important Earth is.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHow massive the spaceship was also astonishing to see through VR.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n As a learning activity<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt’s a very engaging way of learning, fun and multimedia\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt was different from other classes because it was more active and you could move around a bit and see more stuff than just pictures on a PowerPoint screen\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201chelped to develop discussion\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt…complicated my personal opinion on contemporary space travel and environmentalism. It definitely gave me an insight into the experiences and emotions of astronauts seeing the Earth from space\u201d <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe spacewalk was good at transporting us to space – the darkness was quite strong at demonstrating the Overview Effect which we talked about in class. Definitely put a lot of what we talked about in class into perspective.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n CHALLENGES<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n Dizziness and balance<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \u201cI felt a bit dizzy during the last session, and it felt a bit uncomfortable in the beginning when looking down at the earth\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cDizziness with the ISS training module\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI lost my balance a couple of times in the ISS video, it did not make me uncomfortable but I could have easily fallen over!\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAfter about 10 minutes my eyes were strained and I felt very dizzy. It is not something that can be done repeatedly or for long periods of time\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n The space walking app did very quickly induce motion sickness, but I never felt pressured to continue with it, and it was still a good experience. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere was times where I felt slightly dizzy and nauseous, but otherwise I felt okay. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n Headset issues<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \u201cThe weight of the headset on my forehead\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cGlasses issues – even with the bracket, and the headset is large and heavy so rests are needed\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Benefits” open=”on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” link_option_url_new_window=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” background_video_pause_outside_viewport=”on” text_shadow_style=”none” box_shadow_style=”none” hover_transition_duration=”300ms” hover_transition_delay=”0ms” hover_transition_speed_curve=”ease” text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Top Tips” open=”on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” link_option_url_new_window=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” background_video_pause_outside_viewport=”on” text_shadow_style=”none” box_shadow_style=”none” hover_transition_duration=”300ms” hover_transition_delay=”0ms” hover_transition_speed_curve=”ease” text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”References” open=”on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” link_option_url_new_window=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” background_video_pause_outside_viewport=”on” text_shadow_style=”none” box_shadow_style=”none” hover_transition_duration=”300ms” hover_transition_delay=”0ms” hover_transition_speed_curve=”ease” text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em”]<\/p>\n Advance HE. (2019). <\/span>Professional Standards Framework for teaching and supporting learning in higher education 2023<\/span><\/i>. Advance HE. [online]. Available from: <\/span>https:\/\/www.advance-he.ac.uk\/knowledge-hub\/uk-professional-standards-framework-ukpsf<\/span><\/a> [Accessed June 28, 2023].<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n Jones, P. et al. (2022) <\/span>Virtual Reality Methods: A Guide for Researchers in the Social Sciences and Humanities<\/span><\/i>. Policy Press. [online]. Available from: <\/span>https:\/\/library.oapen.org\/handle\/20.500.12657\/57076<\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n Lin, Y., Wang, G. and Suh, A. (2020). Exploring the Effects of Immersive Virtual Reality on Learning Outcomes: A Two-Path Model. In D. D. Schmorrow & C. M. Fidopiastis, eds. <\/span>Augmented Cognition. Human Cognition and Behavior<\/span><\/i>. Lecture Notes in Computer Science. Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 86\u2013105.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][et_pb_comments _builder_version=”3.17.6″ header_font_size_tablet=”51″ header_line_height_tablet=”2″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_use_icon=”off” parent_locked=”off” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null” \/][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Spacer” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ \/][et_pb_button admin_label=”Home Button” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ button_text=”Good Practice Library Home” button_url=”https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humteachlearn\/good-practice-library\/” \/][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.17.6″ src=”https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humteachlearn\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/205\/2022\/03\/VirtualReality.jpg” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n School: <\/strong>School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED)<\/p>\n Discipline:<\/strong> Geography<\/p>\n Academic:<\/strong>\u00a0Craig Thomas<\/p>\n Course:<\/strong> GEOG60982 Environmental Governance and Geographies of outer space<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Cohort Size:<\/strong> 10<\/p>\n Themes:<\/strong>\u00a0Enhancing learning with technology, Teaching idea(s)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”3.17.6″ \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Ref” 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[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Connect Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Social Media” global_parent=”380″ parent_locked=”off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/ul>\n [\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Craig Thomas (SEED) used virtual reality headsets in a seminar setting to engage students in an immersive outer space experience. 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