About
The VRiend (Dutch for "friend") Research Lab, hosted at Toronto Metropolitan University's Department of Computer Science, is dedicated to pioneering research in virtual reality (VR) (+AR/XR) to design, develop, understand, and evaluate inclusive human-computer interaction (HCI), collaborative social networks, and transformative learning within blended realities. Our group employs several research methods, including user studies, case studies, practical applications, and multidisciplinary collaborations and co-design.
Our group employs multidisciplinary methods including user studies, field research, practical application design, and community co-design.
Core Research Areas
- VR Learning Frameworks: Multi-platform, multi-user VR frameworks for educational environments.
- Inclusive VR Interaction: Co-designing interaction methods tailored for diverse learners and virtual learning environments within social learning spaces.
- Social VR in Learning: Collaborative interactions and social phenomena using VR/AR/XR in classrooms, museums, and other public spaces.
- Transformative Experiential Learning: Critical skills acquisition and behavioral change through immersive experiences.
- Assessment Strategies in VR: New methodologies for guiding and assessing learning in Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs).
- Cultural Heritage & Blended Realities: Bridging physical and virtual spaces for accessibility and preservation.