Learning begins before students commence their studies at UNSW, and there is no reason why we cannot create new ways to inspire them earlier in life. I recently created immersive experiences with cost-effective cardboard VR devices using YouTube VR to demonstrate the principles of optics, binocular vision and ophthalmic instrumentation.

These endeavors have been very positive and allowed me to assist others to engage with students through the UNSW Gateway and Nura Gili programs. The technologies created will also be used for my own teaching of undergraduate students enrolled in the VISN1101 from 2023. I selected YouTube VR as the primary platform for this application due to its accessibility from most smartphones. The platform also overcomes the limitations of the Safari that can interfere with the experience(s) on iOS.

The activity builds on other educational activities that occur in class through integrated scaffolding that serves to provide a complete understanding of the optical principles involved (i.e., how lenses work and can be applied to image enhancement). The success of this activity was leveraged on the talented early career teaching staff within our school.