Introduction to Virtual Reality

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Introduction to Virtual Reality

This course is part of Virtual Reality Specialization

Instructors: Prof Sylvia Xueni Pan

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

1,799 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

96%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

1,799 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

96%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Unity Engine

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

4 assignments¹

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Taught in English

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This course is part of the Virtual Reality Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 4 modules in this course

This course will introduce you to Virtual Reality (VR). The course will teach you everything from the basics of VR- the hardware and the history of VR- to different applications of VR, the psychology of Virtual Reality, and the challenges of the medium.

The course is designed for people who are new to VR as a medium. You may have experienced some virtual reality before, and may have some hardware- but this course is suitable to individuals who have never experienced VR and those who do not have much hardware- we will explain Mobile VR as well as devices such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. Introduction to Virtual Reality is the first course in the Virtual Reality Specialisation. A learner with no previous experience in Virtual Reality and/or game programming will be able to evaluate existing VR applications, and design, test, and implement their own VR experiences/games using Unity by the end of the specialisation.

In this week, we’ll cover the basics of VR. We’ll start by sharing a definition of Virtual Reality, and exploring VR hardware, and then you’ll see demonstrations of a range of VR Head Mounted Devices. In the latter part of the week, you will hear more about the history of Virtual Reality and finish the week by drafting your ideas for a VR application.

What's included

9 videos3 readings1 assignment4 discussion prompts

9 videosTotal 60 minutes

Welcome to the Virtual Reality Specialisation!5 minutes
Welcome to Introduction to Virtual Reality!1 minute
Introduction to Week 11 minute
What is VR and how is it different from other media?5 minutes
VR displays9 minutes
Tracking6 minutes
CAVE VR Systems8 minutes
Part 1 | VR in the Analogue Age7 minutes
Part 2 | VR in the Digital Age17 minutes

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Course blog10 minutes
Where to Download VR Apps10 minutes
VR History10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

VR HMDs and VR History30 minutes

4 discussion promptsTotal 40 minutes

Introduce Yourself!10 minutes
What Do You Think VR Is?10 minutes
VR Head Mounted Devices (HMDs)10 minutes
When Was the First Time You Heard About the Concept of Virtual Reality?10 minutes

This week, you’ll learn more about the different applications of VR- from news and documentaries, to sports, therapy, and games. You will also learn more about the VR Technical Framework, and will have the opportunity to share your thoughts on VR applications with your peers.

What's included

9 videos6 readings1 assignment1 peer review2 discussion prompts

9 videosTotal 33 minutes

Introduction to Week 21 minute
Introduction to the VR Technical Framework6 minutes
360 Video and Model Based VR7 minutes
Being Someone Else4 minutes
Sports3 minutes
News and Documentary Films2 minutes
Scientific Data Visualisation4 minutes
Medical Training3 minutes
Physical Rehabilitation and Psychotherapy4 minutes

6 readingsTotal 60 minutes

Further Reading on 360 Video10 minutes
Being Someone Else10 minutes
VR in News and Documentary Films10 minutes
Medical Training10 minutes
VR in Physical Rehabilitation and Psychotherapy10 minutes
Enhancing Our Lives with Virtual Reality10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

VR Applications30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Design Your VR Application | First Draft120 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

VR Applications10 minutes
The Future of VR Applications10 minutes

In this week, Professor Mel Slater will take us through the Three Illusions. We’ll discuss Place Illusion, Plausibility Illusion, and Embodiment Illusion, with some interesting tricks along the way!

What's included

22 videos4 readings1 assignment4 discussion prompts

22 videosTotal 105 minutes

Introduction to Week 31 minute
A Brief History of VR4 minutes
Levels of Immersion in VR Systems11 minutes
Sensorimotor Contingency (SC)2 minutes
Sensorimotor Contingency in VR4 minutes
Why Do We Need Immersive VR?5 minutes
Introduction to the Three Illusions4 minutes
Introduction to Place Illusion (PI)6 minutes
Does Immersion Cause PI?5 minutes
Introduction to Plausibility Illusion (Psi)3 minutes
Necessary Conditions for Psi4 minutes
Break of Presence2 minutes
Presence, Immersion, PI, and Psi2 minutes
The Pinocchio Illusion3 minutes
The Rubber Hand Illusion2 minutes
Psychological Effects of Embodiment Illusion8 minutes
Visual-Tactile and Visual-Motor Synchrony14 minutes
The Technical Setup of VR Embodiment2 minutes
Changes in Attitude, Behaviours, and Cognition10 minutes
Self-Counselling and Treating Depression5 minutes
Comparing CGI and 360 Video4 minutes
The Future of Embodiment in VR2 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

The Three Illusions10 minutes
The Technical Setup of VR Embodiment10 minutes
Changing Bodies Changes Minds: Owning Another Body Affects Social Cognition10 minutes
Embodiment in Self-Counselling and Treating Depression10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

The Three Illusions of Virtual Reality30 minutes

4 discussion promptsTotal 40 minutes

Levels of Immersion of VR Systems10 minutes
VR Hardware and Immersion10 minutes
Plausibility Illusion10 minutes
Embodiment Illusion in Real Life10 minutes

What's included

7 videos3 readings1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt

7 videosTotal 26 minutes

Introduction to Week 42 minutes
Realism | Graphics7 minutes
Realism | Animation4 minutes
Navigation5 minutes
Nausea3 minutes
Meeting Other People3 minutes
Haptic Feedback3 minutes

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Basic Concepts in 3D Computer Graphics10 minutes
Simulation Sickness10 minutes
Thank You and Course Blog10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Challenges in VR30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Design a VR application120 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Real-Time 3D Graphics in Games10 minutes

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Instructors

Instructor ratings

(507 ratings)

Prof Sylvia Xueni Pan

University of London

5 Courses136,942 learners

Offered by

University of London

Goldsmiths, University of London

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Reviewed on Oct 2, 2022

As a person had not any knowledge about the Virtual Reality, this course would be great. And, it was helpful in particular, reading and additional parts help to you increase your knowledge.

Reviewed on Jun 14, 2018

Being a non-techie, I find this course quite easy to understand. The required readings are academic papers and I took some time to understand them but it is good quality readings.

Reviewed on May 25, 2020

There could be more live things and more interaction with 3D interfaces.Also if possible, Reading material should be converted to video lectures for better understanding.

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Frequently asked questions

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When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

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