For your final project you will use all of the readings and discussions we have had throughout this semester to inspire your own creation: a virtual reality (VR) experience that evokes empathy inspired by Frankenstein. The goal is to teach your audience about the novel, and particularly to explain why the creature is an empathetic character. You should draw on your own personal experience, criticism of the novel, and other reliable, scholarly sources to write a pitch – and ultimately a formal proposal – for this short VR application. Again, your VR experience must be both educational and intended to induce empathy in your audience. You will design this simulation as an entry to the competition being held by Mosaic Learning:
http://www.mosaiclearning.com/
To accomplish this task, the project will be broken down into steps:
- Individual pitches: each student will conceptualize and present their idea for a project in 3 minutes. The class will vote on the top 4 projects. You should use multimedia and evidence of research in this pitch.
- Group contracts: in small groups of 3-4, students will outline their plan for this project and assign roles and responsibilities for each student to accomplish. A timeline and due dates will be established. This will be submitted via Google Doc to Dr. L.
- Formal proposals: each group will compose a 3-5 page proposal for their project meeting the criteria of the competition. The proposal will include outside research, citations, and a bibliography.
- Prototype: each group will create a demo of the simulation by making script and either storyboard or short video using our Richo Theta cameras or StoryBoardTHAT.
- Final presentation: this is your presentation to Mosaic Learning. You will present all of your research and your prototype in a formal presentation including all of your group members. You have 15 minutes plus 3 minutes for questions. The final presentations are during the final exam period.
Each proposal should include the following elements:
- Intro/Purpose – a thorough description of your application, your inspiration, and your intended audience. In this section describe how this application will evoke empathy, and why you think it will aide in the audience understanding the themes in the novel Frankenstein.
- Learning Outcomes – what will your audience learn and how can this learning be assessed?
- User Experience/ User Interface – how will your audience use this application? Explain what device (Google Cardboard, HTC Vive, Oculus Go) you intend this to be for and why, describe the interactive elements of the application, and demonstrate the visual appeal of this experience. This is where your storyboard and script should appear in your final proposal.
- Implementation Strategy – who will you market this toward and how will you reach them? Consider what your logo, motto, and or/tagline might be. How will this be implemented by teachers into classrooms? How will educators measure the impact of this experience?
- Long-term Vision – how can this be expanded into a series of applications? Can their be more chapters? New editions? New features? Can you expand this to new (secondary) audiences? How can you reach new markets with this application?
You will post your final proposals to our course blog using the category and tag “Final” the day before our final exam period.
Have fun! Be creative! Be inspired!