NC State Invites Faculty to Explore Immersive Learning at First-Ever XR Showcase
On April 8, NC State faculty and staff can step into an interactive learning environment where physical and virtual spaces converge.
The Extended Reality (XR) Showcase, hosted by DELTA and the NC State University Libraries, will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the D.H. Hill Library Gaming and VR Studio. The open house event invites instructors to explore how virtual and augmented reality technologies are shaping teaching and learning across the university, and participants can attend without prior XR experience.
Instead of a presentation, the space will feel more like a playground. Visitors can move freely between stations, try the technology firsthand and talk directly with DELTA staff (instructional designers, media producers and developers, as well as research and analysis professionals) in addition to instructors already using immersive experiences in their courses.
XR blends digital and physical environments. Virtual reality (VR) places learners inside fully simulated spaces, while augmented reality (AR) layers digital content onto the real world. At NC State, these tools help students visualize complex systems, practice skills in realistic scenarios and engage with course material in ways traditional formats cannot easily replicate. This approach is already shaping courses across campus, including DELTA-supported interdisciplinary VR fitness courses co-sponsored by HESF (Health Exercise Science and Fitness) and DSA (Data Science Academy) that combine instruction, research and real-world application.
For many instructors, the biggest question is not just what can be accomplished with immersive learning technologies, but how to begin. Time, technical uncertainty and course fit can make XR feel distant from day-to-day teaching. The showcase turns those questions into something tangible by putting the technology directly in participants’ hands.
Exploring Immersive Teaching and Learning Across Disciplines
The showcase reflects a broader effort to build shared understanding around immersive learning at NC State. DELTA team members will lead demonstrations throughout the studio, allowing attendees to explore simulations, interact with 3D objects and see activities from students’ perspectives.
DELTA and the Libraries will also highlight the spaces, equipment and support available to help instructors experiment and build immersive learning into their courses at a manageable pace. We welcome faculty and campus partners to bring ideas, concepts and active XR project efforts to the showcase to further drive the conversation and evolution of XR at NC State.
The XR Showcase will be held on Wednesday, April 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the D.H. Hill Library Gaming and VR Studio. Faculty and staff can visit the university calendar for additional details.
