Leading Successful XR Initiatives in the Time of a Global Pandemic

In times of a global pandemic, finding ways to inspire student engagement and social presence has become paramount for institutions as they find their students removed from the physical campus. In search of new teaching models and modes of delivery, institutions and faculty are turning to immersive technologies such as virtual and augmented reality and 360 video to transform learning. While higher education is eager to integrate extended reality (XR), many institutions lack the expertise and a team ready to inspire and support faculty and curriculum with immersive technologies. This session shares insights from a major Immersive Learning Curriculum Initiative at The New School as a focal point for experimentation, pedagogical innovation, and collaboration with virtual worlds. We discuss our approach to faculty development and support, as well as a portfolio of curricular implementations and immersive projects with faculty, students, and programs across our five colleges: Parsons School of Design, Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, the College of Performing Arts, The New School for Social Research, and the Schools of Public Engagement.