By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• critically reflect on the strengths and limitations of Virtual Reality for different applications;
• identify the key elements of creating a Virtual Reality experience, focusing on the design of graphics, interactivity, and the development of the storyline;
• apply basic technical skills to help create a component of a Virtual Reality experience;
• collaborate in a multidisciplinary team towards a common goal, taking into account the diverse skill set of each team member and negotiating responsibilities accordingly.

In the first part of the module you will explore different Virtual Reality applications to understand their strengths and limitations. You will learn about the design and development process of a Virtual Reality experience, in particular the graphical and interactive components together with the development of the storyline.

The majority of the module will be spent designing and developing a component of a Virtual Reality experience. As you will work in a multidisciplinary team, you will specialise in a specific area and learn the basic associated technical skills required, e.g. using graphics software (e.g. Blender), game engines (such as Unity), programming (e.g. in C#) or creating a narrative user experience.

You will spend the majority of the module's timespan working in a multi-disciplinary project group to learn about Virtual Reality design and to develop your own Virtual Reality component. There will be:

• weekly interactive sessions, mostly dedicated to group work and discussions;
• online resources that will help you further your knowledge and skills in your chosen are of contribution towards your project
  individual research.

You will receive ongoing verbal feedback in the course of this module through discussions with peers, teaching assistants, and staff in the synchronous sessions. After submission of the main assignments, written feedback will be provided within two working weeks.

Your assessment will have two components: a group project and an individual journal.

For your group project you will design and (partially) develop a component for a Virtual Reality experience. This will be submitted by the end of the term. Your personal journal will need to be maintained on a weekly basis and will include learning reflections as well as your input towards the group project such as design sketches, code snippets, or documentation. The final submission for your journal will be after the end of the module on a co-negotiated timescale.

• Requirements: It is compulsory to take an I-Explore module during your degree (you’ll take an I-Explore module in either your 2nd or 3rd year, depending on your department). You are expected to attend all classes and undertake approximately 105 hours of independent study in total during the module. Independent study includes for example reading and preparation for classes, researching and writing coursework assignments, project work and preparing for other assessments 
• I-Explore modules are worth 5 ECTS credit towards your degree; to receive these you will have to pass the module. The numerical mark that you obtain will not be included in the calculation of your final degree result, but it will appear on your transcript 
• This module is designed as an undergraduate Level 6 course 
• This module is offered by the Centre for Higher Education Research and Scholarship