Sparking Collaborative Connections Through Immersive Technologies (original) (raw)
Abstract
NIE Library created an innovative space called LIBytes to connect people and ideas through immersive technologies— Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality(MR), and AI robots—and to widen equitable access to digital experiences. LIBytes is both a space and a service: we co-design with departments to integrate immersive learning into teaching, research, and outreach.
For instance, we partner across NIE to build shared experiences:
- English Department – Digital Literature: VR for immersive narrative exploration and perspective-taking, with multimodal discussion.
- Asian Languages & Cultures Department – Digital Storytelling: co-creating VR stories that surface linguistic and cultural perspectives and support authentic language learning.
- Learning Journeys in VR: curriculum-aligned explorations of the origins of street names and their cultural histories, extending fieldwork and reflective practice.
- Sustainable Education @ NIE: VR environments that engage learners with sustainability themes, developed with faculty and embedded in learning modules.
We prototype fast, iterate with users, and align experiences to curriculum outcomes. LIBytes lowers the barrier to try emerging tools, reduces the digital divide, and turns the library into a safe testbed for new pedagogy and learning methods.
The co-created experiences have:
- Enhanced teaching and student engagement through embodied, place-based learning.
- Strengthened cross-department collaboration and resource sharing.
- Expanded informal learning in the Library beyond the classroom.
This presentation shares our approach, challenges, and lessons—how a library-led, partnership-first model can connect communities, innovate, and deliver impact.
Keywords
Immersive learning, Library learning spaces, Curriculum integration, Experiential learning, Digital inclusion, Cross-disciplinary collaboration
Date of this Version
11-2025
Recommended Citation
Jacky Wong, "Sparking Collaborative Connections Through Immersive Technologies." _Proceedings of the IATUL Conferences._Paper 1.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iatul/2025/lightning/1
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Sparking Collaborative Connections Through Immersive Technologies
NIE Library created an innovative space called LIBytes to connect people and ideas through immersive technologies— Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality(MR), and AI robots—and to widen equitable access to digital experiences. LIBytes is both a space and a service: we co-design with departments to integrate immersive learning into teaching, research, and outreach.
For instance, we partner across NIE to build shared experiences:
- English Department – Digital Literature: VR for immersive narrative exploration and perspective-taking, with multimodal discussion.
- Asian Languages & Cultures Department – Digital Storytelling: co-creating VR stories that surface linguistic and cultural perspectives and support authentic language learning.
- Learning Journeys in VR: curriculum-aligned explorations of the origins of street names and their cultural histories, extending fieldwork and reflective practice.
- Sustainable Education @ NIE: VR environments that engage learners with sustainability themes, developed with faculty and embedded in learning modules.
We prototype fast, iterate with users, and align experiences to curriculum outcomes. LIBytes lowers the barrier to try emerging tools, reduces the digital divide, and turns the library into a safe testbed for new pedagogy and learning methods.
The co-created experiences have:
- Enhanced teaching and student engagement through embodied, place-based learning.
- Strengthened cross-department collaboration and resource sharing.
- Expanded informal learning in the Library beyond the classroom.
This presentation shares our approach, challenges, and lessons—how a library-led, partnership-first model can connect communities, innovate, and deliver impact.