Author ORCID Identifier
0000-0003-0120-8818
Document Type
Conference Paper
Disciplines
6. HUMANITIES
Abstract
This paper examines the evolving role of virtual reality (VR) in education, society, and culture, set against the backdrop of its technological and philosophical foundations. The presentation navigates a virtual environment created specifically for the conference, punctuated by key stages exploring the historical, technological, and socio-political dimensions of VR. It begins by tracing the origins of VR as a cultural concept, highlighting portrayals in literature, film and media, and transitions to discussing contemporary implementations and rapid advancement during the global pandemic. The paper addresses the implications of VR in education where remote learning and virtual environments are reshaping pedagogical approaches. It also critiques the dominance of corporate interests in VR development, raising concerns about data privacy, academic freedom, and equitable access. Through philosophical lenses and historical parallels, the discussion emphasises the need for inclusive, open-source digital platforms that reflect diverse global perspectives. Ultimately, the paper argues that while VR offers opportunities to reimagine education and social interaction, the potential offered by this technology must be harnessed responsibly to ensure ethical, sustainable, and inclusive frameworks that benefit society globally.
Recommended Citation
O'Connor, John, "Issues around VR for Higher Education" (2021). Conference Papers. 36.
https://arrow.tudublin.ie/aaschadpcon/36
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Publication Details
https://elia-artschools.org/page/ELIAFutureArtsTowardsVirtualUniversityProgramme