Virtual Hybrid Immersive Teaching Symposium will be held May 28 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. via Zoom

Parnia Mazhar, Communications Student Fellow

During these unprecedented times, traditional methods of education have shifted to an online format at an unprecedented rate. To explore this transition and discuss the future of online education, the Center for Academic Innovation is hosting a virtual Hybrid Immersive Teaching Symposium on May 28 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. EST for U-M faculty and staff interested in digital learning.

The four-hour event will allow attendees to learn and share their ideas on innovation and problem solving in online education. Faculty and staff will also learn how to reimagine courses that require more collaborative in person instruction through the use of extended reality (XR) technology.

“This symposium is an important opportunity to bring faculty together to brainstorm how immersive technologies like XR could help create a presence in hybrid online settings to connect students,” said Jeremy Nelson, director of the Extended Reality Initiative, which is putting on the symposium. 

Register for the Hybrid Immersive Teaching Symposium

U-M faculty and staff experienced in XR will begin by giving brief presentations on immersive learning and XR, covering topics from empathy in the XR classroom to nursing and medicine simulations.

Attendees will also have the chance to break out into groups to discuss their perspectives on immersive teaching. They will explore various opportunities offered by learning technologies such as performance, labs, studies, and collaboration. They will also discuss educational accessibility and equity and will consider the next steps for online learning.

“Attendees will learn how XR can enhance the type of courses they teach and have clear takeaways for how they could modify or redesign their courses in the short term and the long term. By utilizing XR technologies, instructors will help lead the future of higher education,” Nelson said.

This virtual symposium will take place through Zoom. Registration is required, with registrants getting additional details on how to access the symposium via Zoom. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register.