Dreamscape Learning is pioneering a new era of education by merging the captivating power of virtual reality with cutting-edge pedagogical approaches. This innovative partnership between Dreamscape Immersive, a leader in virtual reality experiences, and Arizona State University (ASU), renowned for its commitment to innovation in education, is set to redefine how students learn and engage with educational content. Dreamscape Learning harnesses the emotional depth of Hollywood-caliber storytelling and ASU’s expertise in online and digitally enhanced education to deliver fully immersive VR learning systems to the ASU community and learners worldwide.
What is Dreamscape Learning?
Dreamscape Learning represents a significant leap forward in educational technology. It integrates avatar-driven VR experiences into both traditional campus-based courses and online learning platforms. Beginning with introductory biology, Dreamscape Learning is designed to expand across various scientific disciplines and beyond, offering a broad spectrum of immersive educational opportunities. This initiative is not just about incorporating VR into education; it’s about fundamentally transforming the learning process by making it more engaging, experiential, and effective.
Immersive Learning Labs on ASU Campuses
A key component of Dreamscape Learning is the establishment of immersive, experiential Dreamscape Learn Labs directly on ASU campuses. These labs serve as dynamic hubs where students collaborate with faculty from science, arts, and engineering to tackle complex problems and explore virtual worlds tailored to specific courses and disciplines. This hands-on approach allows students to actively engage with subject matter in ways previously unimaginable, fostering deeper understanding and critical thinking skills through immersive exploration and discovery within these virtual environments.
Industry Leaders Join the Vision
The groundbreaking vision of Dreamscape Learning has attracted significant attention and support from industry giants. ASU joins a prestigious list of Dreamscape investors and partners, including media and entertainment powerhouses like WarnerMedia, Viacom, Disney, AMC, IMAX, Steven Spielberg, and Hans Zimmer. This impressive backing underscores the transformative potential of Dreamscape Learning and its capacity to reshape the educational landscape. ASU President Michael M. Crow emphasized the partnership’s significance, stating its role in “pushing the boundaries and setting the standard for how people learn in the 21st century,” and its potential to bridge learning gaps for students across diverse backgrounds. Walter Parkes, CEO of Dreamscape, highlighted the pivotal moment in education, noting, “2020 will be seen as an inflection point… the moment when society recognized it had both the urgent need and the digital tools to provide first-class educational experiences remotely.” He envisions Dreamscape Learn as a crucial educational asset moving forward, addressing the evolving needs of modern learners.
Alien Zoo: The First VR Lab
The inaugural Dreamscape Learning experience for ASU students is built upon Dreamscape’s acclaimed original VR adventure, Alien Zoo. This virtual world transports learners to an orbiting wildlife sanctuary teeming with endangered species from across the universe. Conceived by Dreamscape Immersive co-founder Walter Parkes and Academy Award-winning director Steven Spielberg, Alien Zoo is reimagined as an expansive VR “laboratory.” Within this immersive environment, students can explore diverse habitats, observe intricate ecosystems, and collect digital specimens, directly applying core concepts from introductory biology. Working both independently and collaboratively, students confront challenges mirroring real-world wildlife conservation issues, such as managing infectious diseases, preserving genetic diversity, and maintaining balanced food webs. This innovative approach transforms introductory biology coursework into an engaging, experiential learning journey.
Dreamscape Immersive’s Expertise
Dreamscape Immersive distinguishes itself with revolutionary proprietary technology that delivers unparalleled levels of immersion in VR experiences. Unlike other VR companies, Dreamscape’s leadership draws from the pinnacle of Hollywood motion pictures, the imaginative world of Disney theme parks, and the energy of global live music events. This unique blend of expertise ensures that Dreamscape Learning experiences are not only educationally robust but also incredibly engaging and emotionally resonant, maximizing the impact of immersive learning.
The Future of Education with Dreamscape Learning
Dreamscape Learning is poised to significantly impact the future of education by offering unprecedented opportunities for learning through exploration. By integrating virtual and augmented reality, establishing direct connections to human cognition, incorporating intelligent tutoring systems, and providing tools for collaborative learning, Dreamscape Learn is creating a holistic and highly effective educational ecosystem. ASU’s long-standing commitment to leveraging technology to enhance learning outcomes, demonstrated through over 230 learning and education technology partnerships, finds a powerful new dimension in Dreamscape Learning. The initiative is expected to be available to students starting in 2021, with rapid expansion into additional subjects planned for 2022 and beyond, promising a transformative future for education.
