Sunday, August 31, 2014

“Immersive Journalism” Using Virtual Reality to Put the Viewer In the Story

We've noted that Pearson PLC, owner of the Financial Times was interested in VR for the classroom.
Here's another angle they may be looking at.
From the BBC:
News reports often feel remote and irrelevant to our lives. But will that change with “immersive journalism” that places viewers in the centre of the story?

News events across from distant countries can feel so far away, it is difficult to grasp their importance. But that may change as journalists create reports with virtual reality, so that viewers feel as if they are witnesses to the unfolding action.

Nonny de la Pena, senior research fellow at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Journalism, does this by mixing traditional journalism with immersive gaming technology. Her team might record sound clips on the ground before combining them with visual reconstructions of the scene....MORE



I'm just spitballin' here:
"Facebook, Oculus, And Businesses' Thirst For Virtual Reality"
One of the least talked about aspects is the use of VR in education. Because the mind has trouble distinguishing between virtual reality and the outside world you should be able to get people to believe almost anything you want them to accept, given enough repetition and an engaging story line. Whether the learner has deep understanding is pretty much immaterial.

Pearson, the edu/testing co. with the Financial Times and Economist attached will be moving in this direction.
Think deeply immersive multiplayer gaming as an example, then put on some virtual reality goggles....
Pearson May Be Rethinking That "Sell the Financial Times" Strategy
"Financial Times CEO: 'We've now achieved critical mass in digital' "
 "The Inside Story of Oculus Rift and How Virtual Reality Became Reality"

Meanwhile, at Pearson Labs:
Beyond gaming: virtual reality hits the classroom