NJIT Guttenberg Information Technologies Center

XR Lab

The Extended Reality (XR) Lab exists to support and encourage teaching, learning, exploration, experimentation, and innovation.

XR Lab at GITC 1402

Through its Office of Digital Learning, the Information Services & Technology (IST) Division built the XR Lab to stay true to one of its priorities: "Encourage innovation by supporting emerging technologies that will shape the future of teaching and learning.” Ultimately, by providing services and support for the use of immersive technologies in teaching and learning, the XR Lab remains in alignment with NJIT’s mission and core values.

Extended Reality (XR) collectively refers to the following computer-generated immersive experiences:

  • Virtual Reality (VR): The immersive environment and the objects in it are digital artworks or digital representations of real-life objects. VR content is typically and best consumed using a VR headset.
  • Augmented Reality (AR): Digital objects are superimposed on real-life environments or objects. Typically, digital objects in AR are rendered relative to the position and contours of real-life objects and surfaces.
  • Mixed Reality (MR): This takes AR and adds interactivity. The user can interact with the digital objects and those interactions can sometimes provide haptic feedback.

Including the lab moderator’s/instructor’s workstation, there are nine (9) workstations in the XR Lab. Each workstation has

XR Lab workstations and standard equipment

  • Headset: Managed Meta Quest 3 which supports VR and MR apps. (Meta health and safety warnings)
  • Computer: Workstation-class Lenovo ThinkStation P3 computer equipped with
    • Processor: 13th Generation Intel® CoreTM i7-13700 vPro® Processor
    • System RAM: 64GB DDR5-4400
    • Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX4070 with 12GB of RAM, three (3) DisplayPort, and 1 HDMI
    • Secondary Storage: 2 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 Performance TLC Opal
    • Monitor: Lenovo Legion Y27h-30 27-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) with 165Hz refresh rate
  • Network Connectivity: Gigabit LAN, Intel® Wi-Fi 6E AX211 2x2 AX vPro® & Bluetooth® 5.1 or above
  • Furniture: Mobile computer cart that offers a wide range of adjustability options to accommodate a variety of user needs, paired with an ergonomic computer chair
  • A/V System: Dual laser projectors with high-end audio, and wired and wireless connectivity options

XR headset charging and sanitizing storage cabinet

The lab is also equipped with a charging and sanitizing cabinet for the XR headsets, headset pads (for additional sanitary protection between the user's face and the headset), and disinfecting wipes.

eXpeRience Workshop

Meta Quest 3 XR headset

This workshop is designed to:

  • Gain an understanding of Extended Reality as a technology
  • Why the XR Lab exists and its importance in achieving NJIT's mission
  • Provide a background on devices that can be used to consume XR content
  • Orient the user on wearing, adjusting, and operating an XR headset
  • Help get used to experiencing and interacting in XR

We highly recommend this workshop to those who have not experienced XR in a headset before as the experience differs greatly from consuming 3D content on a monitor or mobile device.

Available Sessions
  • Sep 19, 2024, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
  • Sep 24, 2024, 01:30 PM to 03:00 PM
  • Sep 27, 2024, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Enrolling in the Workshop

Slots are limited per session. Book a session now!

Course Integration

Using XR in teaching and learning does not mean holding class sessions in VR. To achieve the best possible learning experience while achieving learning outcomes, the Office of Digital Learning offers services and support for faculty when using XR as part of the pedagogy. Here are some effective ways to use XR in teaching and learning:

  • Alternative Presentation Approach: XR headsets can provide an immersive experience of the course material that computer monitors and mobile devices cannot achieve.
  • Repeatable Experiential Learning: Hands-on training is great but often there are attached costs whether that is financial, logistical, or time. Because in VR, the environment and the objects are virtual, resetting an experiential learning scenario without the typical associated costs is possible.
  • Safety: Some real-life learning experiences can be too risky for the learner. XR offers a way for the learner to make mistakes, receive meaningful feedback from the faculty, and start over. This is why military pilots undergo flight simulation training.

Our process is a collaboration with the faculty and going through the following processes:

  • Data Gathering: We hold conversations with the faculty to get an understanding of the course and how the course is conducted. At this stage, a couple of items we look for are the course syllabus and the course’s learning objectives. We also brief the faculty on how the XR lab can be used to support the instructional and learning workflows.
  • Analysis: Having an understanding of the course, its material, and the faculty’s workflow, we start doing our homework which entails finding and reviewing existing off-the-shelf XR applications, often, with the faculty; and, if are no good matches, we determine if any options are available in terms of developing the XR application and what those options may entail. All findings, estimated costs, and operational requirements are shared and discussed with the faculty.
  • Implementation and Testing: If there is a viable XR application, testing is done with the faculty to determine if the XR application meets the teaching and learning requirements.
  • Feedback: Timely check-ins will be done with the faculty throughout the initial semester the XR application is used in the course. Additionally, an end-of-semester survey will be conducted among the concerned end users to gather feedback on the XR app and the XR Lab’s services.

We can work with independent software vendors (ISVs) who sell off-the-shelf XR applications and custom-built content or applications. Below are a handful of examples. If you cannot find a good match for what you need in your course(s), please let us know by filling out the XR Lab and Services inquiry form in Highlander Nexus (https://help.njit.edu). You may also browse from a directory of ISVs supported by our device management solution provider.

PNX Labs

One of the co-founders of PNX Labs holds degrees in engineering and Physics. Their portfolio includes these disciplines in higher education and STEM.

  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Thermodynamics
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Materials Science
  • Engineering Mechanics
  • Energy Introduction
  • Manufacturing

See a preview of one of their virtual labs in action:

Flow Immersive

Where there's data, there's an opportunity for data visualization. There are times when viewing data in a certain way, especially, in an immersive environment with others can give a variety of perspectives to the data. See a clip of their product below:

VirtualSpeech

Their soft skills training platform with VR and AI integration allows practice on communication skills such as public speaking, sales, and leadership. Among many of their practice exercises are Active Listening Exercises, Impromptu Storytelling, and Body Language Practice. Below is a clip of what's possible with VirtualSpeech:

Moth & Flame VR

They pride themselves on their GenAI-powered and very life-like off-the-shelf soft-skills VR content. Take a look at their catalog of off-the-shelf content.

VictoryXR

Founded in 2016, VictoryXR is one of the established entities in the industry. They offer a variety of subject matters and topics across their range of products:

Here are a couple of video clips from their product offerings:

Targo Stories

Theirs is a collection of immersive documentaries. See their list of experiences. Here's a preview of a riveting title from their collection:

XR Lab workstation

For questions or consultations, please fill out our XR Lab and Services inquiry form in Highlander Nexus (https://help.njit.edu).