This interview is from SDPB's daily public-affairs show, In the Moment, hosted by Lori Walsh.
South Dakota State University is advancing as a provider of virtual reality higher education. The university has received designation as a "metaversity" from the company VictoryXR. Students will use a personal computer or virtual reality headset to access classrooms and SDSU's Brookings campus remotely.
Greg Heiberger is an assistant professor and associate dean for academics and student success in SDSU's College of Natural Sciences. He says faculty training is key to developing a successful virtual reality model.
"Some of the early research is really promising," Heiberger says. "It certainly is all about how we use this. We know this with other technology rollouts over the last 20, 40, 50 years. It's not always about the technology; it's about how we apply good pedagogy to technology, through technology."
Select virtual reality classes begin in August. The program comes at no further cost to students.
