A Model for Future Virtual Classroom Environments
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University of Massachusetts Amherst ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst Masters Theses Dissertations and Theses July 2021 Physical to Virtual: A Model for Future Virtual Classroom Environments Stephen J. Fink University of Massachusetts Amherst Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/masters_theses_2 Part of the Architectural Technology Commons, Educational Technology Commons, Environmental Design Commons, Game Design Commons, and the Interactive Arts Commons Recommended Citation Fink, Stephen J., "Physical to Virtual: A Model for Future Virtual Classroom Environments" (2021). Masters Theses. 1045. https://doi.org/10.7275/22721891.0 https://scholarworks.umass.edu/masters_theses_2/1045 This Open Access Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Dissertations and Theses at ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Physical to Virtual: A Model for Future Virtual Classroom Environments A Thesis Presented By STEPHEN JOHN FINK Submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Massachusetts Amherst in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE May 2021 Department of Architecture © Copyright by Stephen John Fink 2021 All Rights Reserved Physical to Virtual: A Model for Future Virtual Classroom Environments A Thesis Presented By STEPHEN JOHN FINK Approved as to style and content by: Ajla Akšamija, Chair Stephen Schreiber Department Chair, Department of Architecture DEDICATION I dedicate this prose to Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, the man that opened my eyes to my potential. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would first like to acknowledge the professors of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst Architecture Department, whose’ guidance allowed me to arrive at the topic of virtual architecture. Second, I would like to personally thank Professor Ajla Akšamija, who always encouraged me despite myself and oversaw this thesis as it developed. I would like to acknowledge the internal reviewers for their patience and for offering their insight. Lastly, I must recognize my family, who always supported me in this venture. v ABSTRACT PHYSICAL TO VIRTUAL: A MODEL FOR FUTURE VIRTUAL CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENTS MAY 2021 STEPHEN JOHN FINK B.S. MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS, AMHERST M.ARCH., UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST Directed by: Professor Ajla Akšamija Virtual reality is a technology that has seen unprecedented growth since the turn of the century with increasing applications within business, entertainment, and educational applications. As virtual reality technologies continue to develops and markets expand, the world may see an increased demand for virtual classrooms: virtual environments (VEs) that students may access through immersive virtual reality technologies to receive guided instruction, conduct simulations, or perform tasks typical in a classroom setting. While many studies document how virtual reality is beneficial to educational processes, there is little discussion on how virtual environments should be architecturally designed. Thus one may hypothesize that physical design strategies translated to virtual environments may have similar results. This thesis investigates virtual environments for education by creating several virtual classrooms embedded within a selective digital twin of the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus. The design of the virtual classrooms was influenced by current architectural trends in classroom design while capturing unique abilities present within a virtual context. A physical teaching module was also designed to create a platform for educators within the university to deliver instruction within the virtual campus. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS page Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................v Abstract ...........................................................................................................................................vi List of Tables .................................................................................................................................viii List of Figures..................................................................................................................................ix Chapter 1: Introduction......................................................................................................................1 Chapter 2: Background......................................................................................................................4 2.1 Is Virtual Reality Real?.................................................................................................10 2.2 A Comprehensive Definition for Virtual Reality..........................................................20 2.3 A Brief History of Virtual Reality Technologies..........................................................25 2.4 A Brief History of Classroom Design...........................................................................28 2.5 A Brief History of Virtual Worlds ................................................................................38 Chapter 3: On Virtual Architecture..................................................................................................41 3.1 Physical to Virtual – Defining Architecture in a New Medium.....................................41 3.2 On Virtual Architectural Functionalism and Aesthetics ...............................................45 3.3 On Virtual Materiality and Simulation..........................................................................50 3.4 The Role of the Architect in the Creation of Virtual Architecture.................................56 3.5 On Immersive Architecture..........................................................................................62 Chapter 4: Literature Review...........................................................................................................73 4.1 Literature Overview .....................................................................................................73 4.2 Literature on Virtual Reality in Relationship to Architecture.......................................74 4.3 Literature on Virtual Reality and Education.................................................................84 4.4 Literature on Classroom Design Factors.......................................................................94 Chapter 5: Physical Precedent Studies...........................................................................................105 5.1 Roy and Diana Vagelos Education Center / Diller Scofidio + Renfro.........................105 vii 5.2 Smart Innovation Learning Center / NEILI LAB........................................................108 5.3 Integrative Learning Center / Stantec, Inc...................................................................110 Chapter 6: Virtual Precedent Studies.............................................................................................114 6.1 Labster........................................................................................................................113 6.2 Victory XR Academy.................................................................................................116 6.3 Community Projects...................................................................................................119 Chapter 7: Physical Design ...........................................................................................................124 7.1 Project Background and Design Requirements...........................................................124 7.2 The Virtual Teaching Platform ..................................................................................128 Chapter 8: Virtual Design..............................................................................................................135 8.1 The Workshop Building.............................................................................................144 8.2 Amphitheater Park......………....................................................................................146 8.3 The Experiment Building...........................................................................................148 8.4 Individual Learning Cubes.........................................................................................149 8.5 The Central Transportation Platform..........................................................................151 Chapter 9: Conclusion...................................................................................................................153 Bibliography .................................................................................................................................156 Appendix.......................................................................................................................................167 viii LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Perspectives of Reality Organized by Category........................................................page 13 Table 2: Generational Traits of Virtual Worlds with Summaries...........................................page 40 Table 3: Typical 3D industry asset pipeline............................................................................page 60 Table 4: Design Parameters that Impact Student Achievement with Findings