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Introduction to Virtual Reality
Introduction to Virtual Reality

Introduction to Virtual Reality

Zach Galant avatar
Written by Zach Galant
Updated over 5 months ago

Why Teach Introduction to Virtual Reality:

Virtual Reality is a rapidly growing technology with applications in several different fields. On CodeHS students can learn how to build their very own virtual reality worlds using HTML and the A-Frame JavaScript library. Students can view their VR creations on the computer, through phones, or through an Oculus Rift. Get ready to be blown away by what you create!

What’s Covered in Introduction to Virtual Reality:

The CodeHS Introduction to Virtual Reality course is a short course (about 20 hours) that gets students started creating their very own virtual reality experiences. 

Here is an overview of the units:

  1. Getting Started - This unit introduces students to virtual reality and the A-Frame library. Students will create their first virtual reality world!

  2. Advanced Shapes - In this unit, students are introduced to boxes, cones, and cylinders.  Students will also learn where to find out more information about the shapes that A-Frame provides.

  3. Animation - In this unit, students will learn how to add animations to the objects in their VR worlds.  They will learn how to program shapes to move, change color, rotate, and disappear.

  4. Interaction - In this unit students will learn how to add interactions so that viewers can interact with objects in virtual reality.

  5. Using 360˚ Images - In this unit, students will learn to work with 360˚ images and videos in their VR worlds. Students will learn the steps to add an image from a 360˚ camera, as well as an image or video sourced online. Students will create their own worlds using 360˚ images and will gain practice citing their sources when using images captured by others.

  6. Next Steps - This unit discusses next steps students can take to further explore virtual reality development with an A-Frame. Topics include viewing your creation in a VR device, using the A-Frame documentation and inspector to keep learning, as well as links to more tutorials and training.

  7. Final Project - In this unit, students will combine the skills they've learned to brainstorm and create their own virtual reality final project.

Prerequisites and Curriculum Pathway(s):

Prerequisites:

Virtual Reality does not require students to come in with any programming experience. We recommend getting started with these quick playlists, each of which should take 1 class period:

Optional Materials:

Smartphone, Google Cardboard, or similar VR viewer. See Viewing Your VR World in a VR Device to learn more and see Headsets and Browsers to learn which VR Headsets are supported.

Curriculum Pathways:

Curriculum pathway incorporating Intro to Virtual Reality

If you begin the playlists and would like to try out the full course (about 20 hours of curriculum), you can check it out here: https://codehs.com/info/curriculum/vr

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