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Virtual Reality: Home

Resources on Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and others.

Definitions

From the Franklin Institute:

https://www.fi.edu/difference-between-ar-vr-and-mr 

Augmented reality (AR) adds digital elements to a live view often by using the camera on a smartphone. Examples of augmented reality experiences include Snapchat lenses and the game Pokemon Go. 

Virtual reality (VR) implies a complete immersion experience that shuts out the physical world. Using VR devices such as HTC Vive, Oculus Rift or Google Cardboard, users can be transported into a number of real-world and imagined environments such as the middle of a squawking penguin colony or even the back of a dragon.

In a mixed reality (MR) experience, which combines elements of both AR and VR, real-world and digital objects interact. Mixed reality technology is just now starting to take off with Microsoft’s HoloLens one of the most notable early mixed reality apparatuses.

Books

The following books are available from the Middletown Library Service Center's (MLSC's) Professional Collection. 

Interested in borrowing one of these titles? Contact the Middletown Library Service Center, 860-704-2200. 

Apps

Apps for AR

8 Best augmented reality SDK for AR development for iOS and Android in 2018

Apps for Google Cardboard

25 Best Google Cardboard Apps for iOS and Android in 2018

 

Note: This is not a recommendation by the CT State Library

Free Archived Webinars: Virtual Reality for Libraries

The list below contains links to free, archived webinars on the topic of virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality for libraries. 

(Note: Some recordings are made available only for a limited time. If there is something on the list below you wish to watch, you are best off viewing it sooner rather than later.)

Title Presenter(s)

Date Recorded
(Most recent first)

Host/Sponsor of Webinar Other info
XR Library Playbook: Best practices for successful XR program integration

John MacLeod

Tammy Westergard

Sara Jones

Aug 2019 Infopeople In this webinar we talk with library professionals about their experience setting up and running XR in libraries. They will share best practices and a playbook for beginning or expanding expanding use of XR in libraries.
XR: Virtual, Augmented & Mixed Reality in the Library

John MacLeod

Tammy Westergard

Sara Jones

July 2019 Infopeople

XR (extended reality) is the umbrella term for the emerging technologies of Virtual, Augmented or Mixed Reality.

Quick Class: Virtual Reality in the Library 
(Link will start download of WMV - Windows Media Video file.)
Robin Shader Apr. 2019 PLAN -
Panhandle Library Access Network
33 minutes
The Future is Now: Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality in Public Libraries Jen Bishop

Liz Sundermann-Zinger
Jan 2019 WebJunction 1 hour; 
Requires free WebJunction account
Get Real! Augmented, Virtual and Other Realities in the Classroom Michele Luhtala Sept. 2018 edWeb.net 1 hour; 
​Requires an e-mail address to view
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Austin Olney Sept. 2018

NYLA - New York
Library Association

50 minutes

 

Oculus Rift

Thinking about buying an Oculus Rift or just trying it out?

Schedule a visit to the Middletown Library Service Center to check it out!

Contact: Gail Hurley Gail.Hurley@ct.gov or 860-704-2223

Classroom Resources

Kathy Schrock’s Guide to Everything: Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality in the Classroom

http://www.schrockguide.net/augmented-reality.html

CLASSVR http://www.classvr.com/ 

Google Expeditions

 https://edu.google.com/expeditions/#about 

 

Note: This list is not a recommendation by the CT State Library 

Products

Google Cardboard https://vr.google.com/cardboard/

HoloLens https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/hololens 

Oculus https://www.oculus.com/ 

Samsung VR https://samsungvr.com/ 

VIVE https://www.vive.com/us/

 

Note: This list is not a recommendation by the CT State Library

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