[Source-engineering.asu.edu]
Innovative Collaboration with Dreamscape Learn
Arizona State University (ASU) is on the cusp of transforming the learning landscape with the introduction of Dreamscape Learn, a new initiative that blends cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) technology with interactive, narrative-driven education. Developed through a collaboration with Dreamscape Immersive, the project aims to immerse students in a unique learning environment where they actively engage with course material as characters within a story.
The innovative concept was born from a meeting between ASU President Michael Crow and Dreamscape Immersive co-founder Walter Parkes. Before this partnership, Dreamscape’s VR technology had been used primarily in the entertainment industry. This new collaboration marks the first time the company has extended its technology into the realm of academia, to provide ASU students with an entirely new way to experience learning.
“You become part of a story as a character in VR, so you can experience things as a part of the story,” explained Michael Angilletta, associate dean for learning innovation at EdPlus at ASU and a key collaborator on the Dreamscape Learn project. Rather than passively receiving information, students are actively involved in the learning process, simulating real-world scenarios in a virtual environment.
A Transformative Learning Experience
The Dreamscape Learn program represents a significant shift from traditional teaching methods. Through collaboration with experts in artificial intelligence and education, ASU has fine-tuned the VR experience to align with student needs. The program’s interactive and immersive storytelling approach helps guide students through complex concepts by placing them in hands-on virtual simulations.
“Instead of coming to a classroom where I lecture about what biologists have done, I’m going to take you into VR where you could become a biologist,” Angilletta said, highlighting the experiential nature of the program. The goal is to make learning more engaging and encourage students to take an active interest in their studies.
Since its launch in the Spring of 2022, Dreamscape Learn has been met with enthusiasm from students and educators alike. To assess its impact, ASU conducted a study involving 700 students enrolled in a biology course. Half of the students used traditional textbooks and lectures, while the other half engaged with the Dreamscape Learn curriculum. The results demonstrated that students using VR were nearly twice as likely to receive an A in their lab assignments compared to those in the traditional setting, despite the VR assignments being more rigorous.
Positive Feedback from Students
The interactive nature of Dreamscape Learn has been a key factor in its success. Zoya Khan, a sophomore majoring in economics, participated in the program and praised its ability to keep her engaged. “It felt like being inside a video game, but an educational one,” Khan said. “Even though it was educational, they somehow managed to make it fun.”
Khan added that the VR elements helped increase focus and reduce the tendency to zone out during lessons. “It was hard to zone out like students usually do in classes because you were looking at everything you were studying. It was like a virtual trip that we all went on.” The immersive nature of the program not only enhanced learning but also fostered interaction between students from diverse backgrounds, contributing to improved overall performance.
As Dreamscape Learn continues to evolve, students like Khan are hopeful that the technology will expand into other subjects such as statistics, economics, or psychology. For many, the program represents a glimpse into the future of education, where learning is not just about absorbing information, but about experiencing it firsthand.
“It was like getting a glimpse of how the future is going to be,” said Khan, reflecting on her experience with the revolutionary program. Through initiatives like Dreamscape Learn, ASU is setting the stage for a future where education is transformed by immersive technologies.
