📝 eXtended Realities Grant

Adoption of a learning management system (LMS), such as D2L, has changed how students learn. One of the next shifts in digital learning is eXtended Realities (XR), which includes:

• Virtual Reality – immersing yourself in a 100% digital environment, often by using a headset. Examples: being placed in a room full of people for public speaking practice, taking virtual “field trips” to otherwise inaccessible locations.                               
• Augmented Reality – overlaying digital content onto the real world, often by using a smartphone. Examples: being provided with additional information on real world objects, arranging virtual furniture in a physical room.
• Mixed Reality – using a headset or smartphone to overlay digital content that interacts with the real world. Example: virtual surgery on a physical mannequin, overlaying adaptive blueprints onto a workstation or model.

Faculty are invited to request institutional grant funds to utilize eXtended Realities in support of Northern’s mission of facilitating diverse academic opportunities that prepare students for future endeavors.

Program Objectives:

• Improve teaching skills to reflect current technological practices used in the private sector.
• Update teaching methodology necessary for implementing the eXtended Reality tool.
• Leverage faculty background and proficiencies as educators to become highly effective in the principles and practices of synchronous and asynchronous instruction.
• Develop skills in the use of instructional technologies to compliment and personalize the face-to-face or online classroom.

All tenured and tenure-track faculty are eligible for awards based on a competitive basis. Faculty teaching in the 2023 spring (202310), 2023 summer (202350), or 2023 fall (202380) term are encouraged to apply.

Requirements:

1. Submit a Proposal by November 21st, 2022. Your Dean's letter of approval must also completed by this date.
2. Complete course design or redesign.
3. Teach the updated/revised course in 2023 spring (202310), 2023 summer (202350), or 2023 fall (202380).
4. Complete a 30-minute check-in with Instructional Technology Services part-way through the term.
5. Sharing his or her experience (per avenue listed on the proposal) with Northern stakeholders at the conclusion of the first term of use.

Funding:

1. The grant pays up to $2,000 for the purchase of hardware and/or software. Any additional funding would be provided at the discretion of the academic department.
2. Faculty will earn a $1,000 stipend, payable after completion of the first term teaching (and sharing their experience with Northern stakeholders).

Priority for award selection will be given to undergraduate courses that are required for an on-campus program and consistently has fifteen or more enrollments. Proposals are reviewed by the Instructional Technology Advisory Committee.

Dr. Mathew is planning to implement Simmersion in her 2023 summer Group and Family Counseling course.

Dr. Walters implemented VirtualSpeech in her Integrated Marketing (BADM-403) course. The School of Business is looking into using VirtualSpeech in the 2022-2023 academic year.

Dr. Schwan implemented Mursion simulations in her Classroom Management (EDFN-440) course. The School of Education has continued to fund the use of Mursion every semester since.