VR: Developing a Critical Inquiry Mindset for Extended Reality (Micro-credential)

This course focuses on the importance of the inclusion of critical inquiry in the design and development of Extended Reality (XR) experiences. Learners will be introduced to the XR ecosystem and the variety of technologies that are part of this ecosystem. In this course, learners will identify the challenges that new mediums like XR raise and why an ethical framework is important. In particular, learners will identify issues associated with privacy, security, bias, accessibility, and the "do no harm" code often overlooked during the design and development of XR ecosystems. To ensure the realization of the potential benefits of these technologies, learners will examine how to identify and leverage a critical inquiry mindset to question more deeply the social, political, and moral issues emerging from these new technologies.

Notes:

A digital badge will be awarded upon the completion of this micro-credential.

Developing a Critical Inquiry Mindset for Extended Reality (Micro-credential) program major code: CMER

Click to access the Program of Study for the current academic year.

COURSE SERIES:

This course is part of a series of courses that partner well together and build on the knowledge of each other. The additional courses are:

Mixed Reality for Game Development (Micro-credential)

Augmented Reality with Unity Game Engine

Storytelling for Virtual Reality

MICRO-CREDENTIAL FEATURES:

Can be completed in 7 weeks or less

Self-directed, asynchronous learning with the support of a facilitator

Real-world assessment(s) to evaluate competencies

Interactive multimedia components

Pass / Fail grading structure

MICRO-CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) including Grade 12 English (C or U) and Grade 11 Math (C, M or U) OR;

Grade 12 equivalency certificate achieved through College academic upgrading OR;

Mature Student Status (19 years of age or older) with Grade 12 English (C or U) and Grade 11 Math (C, M or U)

PROGRAM COMPETENCIES:

Upon completion of this Micro-credential, students will be equipped to:

Identify and adapt stories that will work in virtual reality (VR).

Identify and leverage concepts and methods for working in a sphere environment.

Engage interactivity as a storytelling tool.

Identify and leverage the viewer's relationship to the story.

Computer Software Requirements:

Minimum System Requirements to run Unity Editor:

Operating System for Windows:

• Windows 7 (SP1+) and Windows 10, 64-bit versions only
• CPU Windows: X64 architecture with SSE2 instruction set support
• Graphics API Windows: DX10, DX11, and DX12-capable GPUs
• RAM Windows: Minimum 4 GB (Recommended-8 GB)

Operating System MacOS:

• High Sierra 10.13+
• CPU macOS: X64 architecture with SSE2 instruction set support
• Graphics API Mac OS: Metal-capable Intel and AMD GPUs
• RAM macOS: Minimum 4 GB (Recommended-8 GB)

Mobile Development Operating System Android requirements:

• Operating System Android : Version 4.4 (API 19)+
• Operating System CPU: ARMv7 with Neon Support (32-bit) or ARM64
• Operating System Graphics API: OpenGL ES 2.0+, OpenGL ES 3.0+, Vulkan

Mobile Development Operating System requirements:

• Operating System iOS : Version 11+
• Operating System CPU iOS: A7 SoC+
• Operating System Graphics API iOS: Metal