This guide introduces aspects of using and doing research with technologies commonly known as virtual reality (VR) through the following sections.
While there are more specific technical terms that can be used to describe the work featured in this guide, the term “virtual reality” (VR) is mostly used throughout the guide as a blanket term, for the sake of being readable and understandable to a general audience.
Glossary of Terms: A list of some basic terms associated with VR and their meanings.
VR Equipment at UC Irvine: A resource for understanding how to borrow VR headsets through the UC Irvine Libraries, or use VR headsets for certain classes.
VR Health and Safety: VR is not for everyone and can present health and safety concerns for some people. This section outlines some resources for understanding how using VR technology can affect the body.
Accessibility: A section about designing VR hardware or software to be more accessible to disabled people, and about exploring related efforts in game design and player experiences.
UC Courses and Groups: A short list of recommendations for VR-related classes and research / hobby groups in the UC system.
VR for Teaching: A section for teaching with and about VR in a classroom setting, including accessibility and critical digital pedagogy.
Research Projects: A compilation of VR and VR-related work in academic spaces, mostly drawn from the humanities, social sciences, and arts. This work can look like digital recreations of historical moments and/or spaces, or work that examines culture through the use of VR as a medium of expression.
Academic Conferences, Journals, and Books: A short, non-exhaustive list of sources for keeping up with research on or with VR.
VR Tutorials: A non-comprehensive list of recommended tutorials on VR-related software.
