[Colloq] Title: Virtual Reality, Game Design, and The Future of Education | Speaker: Aldis Sipolins, IBM Research | Date: 10/6/16, 4pm | Location: 415 Shillman

[McGaha, Dan]

Title: Virtual Reality, Game Design, and The Future of Education

Speaker: Aldis (Aldi) Sipolins, Head of Virtual Reality and Game Design for IBM Research

Location: 415 Shillman

Date: Thursday, October 6, 2016    Time: 4:00 PM (refreshments at 3:45 PM)

Abstract
We are at a watershed moment in technology.  Virtual reality is poised to transform everything from games to art to education.  We've spent our whole lives interacting with 2D media (paper, blackboards, screens, phones), but VR forces us to re-think everything we know about human-computer interaction.  No longer confined by the limitations of a physical classroom, education can become so much more than lectures and tests.  Motion sickness has long been the thorn in VR's side, but thoughtful design eliminates this risk.  By applying principles of game to VR, educational content can become fun, engaging, and uniquely immersive.  With Watson as the teacher in a virtual classroom free from the limitations of the physical world, we're ready to re-think education.

Bio
Aldis Sipolins is the head of virtual reality and game design for IBM Research.  Mr. Sipolins combines his background in neuroscience with a lifelong passion as a videogamer to improve education.  His research focus is in cognitive training, virtual reality, and neuromodulation.