submitted by hansonjl@augsburg.edu
We are pleased to announce that Jenny Hanson was recently awarded the Create with VR Grant from Unity and Meta Immersive Learning. This grant positions our institution at the forefront of innovative teaching and learning by putting virtual reality (VR) technology and training in the hands of our educators and students. We will receive 13 Meta Quest 2 VR headsets for use in the classroom, both to deliver immersive instruction across a range of subjects and to train students to become the creators of tomorrow in the growing, high-wage VR industry.
As a grantee, Hanson will have access to professional development opportunities to build their knowledge of VR development and expand their capacity to create innovative and engaging learning experiences for their students.
Demand for workers with VR skills is growing rapidly across gaming, education, healthcare, automotive, architecture, engineering, and beyond. A PwC report on the economic impact of the industry estimates that, by 2030, 23 million jobs will be enhanced globally by AR and VR. Salaries in the industry also provide ample promise, averaging $158K USD annually, according to Hired’s 2022 report on the State of Software Engineers.The Create with VR grant will equip our educator community with the technology and skills to launch students on this exciting career path.