Purdue University’s Envision Center, part of the Rosen Center for Advanced Computing (RCAC), has developed a virtual reality platform that utilizes the Meta Quest 3 headsets to bring the future of teaching and learning to our doorstep. The technology, known as Collab XR, is a shared learning platform that puts advanced visualizations at the fingertips of professors and students, immersing them in a learning environment like never before. To introduce students and faculty to our new Collab XR platform, the Envision Center will host a series of demonstrations to highlight the real-world use cases of this technology across different domains.

The Collab XR (XR=extended reality) platform is a shared environment that allows anyone in a headset to view and interact with the same virtual content pieces together, viewed in fully virtual (the entire field of vision is virtual, obscuring all of the real environment, and other participants appear as virtual avatars) or passthrough augmented reality (cameras feed the real room and people to the headset view, overlaying virtual content to appear to exist in the same space). Developed in conjunction with Professor Danny Milisavljevic, the Collab XR platform is the first of its kind, merging virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) capabilities with training, research, and education.

The Envision Center will host three demonstration events to help familiarize faculty and students with the new technology, as well as help them imagine how they can use it in their own classrooms. The events will take place in a variety of places throughout campus, showcasing the versatility of the technology, as well as providing participation access to a broader audience.

Event 1: Focus on Visualization - Discover how XR brings scientific data to life!

Date: February 13, 2025

Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST

Venue: Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering, Atrium

Our first Collab XR demonstration will focus on the power of visualization. Dr. Danny Milisavljevic, an Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy, will help lead this hands-on interactive event, in which we highlight scientific data visualization in a range of classroom instruction scenarios, covering topics from volumetric weather radar imagery to 3D supernova remnants. Milisavljevic has been actively using Collab XR in his classroom to help explore and share complex 3D data with his students—namely, the remnants of stellar explosions.

“The response from students has been incredible,” says Milisavljevic. “The excitement and reward of the experience is heightened by exploring content collaboratively, and they report far better comprehension of the multidimensional data as compared to traditional screen or blackboard presentations. This is a game-changing instructional platform.”

Registration for this event is not required, and the demonstration is open to all students, faculty, and staff. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with this cutting-edge XR technology developed by the Envision Center!

Full Demonstration Schedule:

Event 2: Focus on Interaction

Explore XR-based technique training in shared virtual spaces, in collaboration with Dr. Kara Weatherman from Nuclear Pharmacy.

Date: February 28, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST

Venue: Wilmeth Active Learning Center (WALC), Room 1121

Event 3: Focus on Immersive Learning

Experience scenario-based learning and visualization in cultural heritage, social engagement, fine arts, and historical artifacts, in collaboration with Dr. Wanju Huang.

Date: March 10, 2025

Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST

Venue: Marriott Hall, Atrium

Get Collab XR in your Classroom

The Envision Center, in partnership with the Purdue Innovation Hub, invites applications for candidate projects to participate in building the next generation of academic extended reality (XR) experiences. Faculty who wish to bring Collab XR into their classroom may apply here: https://www.rcac.purdue.edu/envision/collabxr-program

Written by: Jonathan Poole, poole43@purdue.edu