The VRARA University and Colleges Committee is pleased to offer this online presentation on September 20th which explores the innovative use of virtual and augmented reality in tourism education, drawing from the 'My Hometown Project' and related research conducted at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies. We'll discuss how immersive technologies are being utilized to address real-world challenges in the tourism industry, such as over-tourism in popular destinations, while simultaneously providing students with valuable hands-on experience.

The talk will showcase a custom-built VR platform that allows students to create, curate, and share virtual tours of their hometowns and other locations. We'll examine how this technology, combined with a specially designed immersive learning environment, enables students to simulate real-world tour experiences. The presentation will highlight key findings on the impact of these simulations on students' sense of presence, motivation, and preparation for careers in tourism. By demonstrating the practical applications of VR/AR in vocational education, this talk aims to inspire new thinking about the potential of immersive technologies in training the next generation of tourism professionals and reshaping the future of the industry.

Speaker Bio: Eric Hawkinson

Eric is a learning futurist, tinkering with and designing technologies that may better inform the future of teaching and learning.  Eric's projects have included augmented tourism rallies, AR community art exhibitions, mixed reality escape rooms, and other experiments in immersive technology.  Full listing of research and projects at https://erichawkinson.com 

Roles
Professor - Kyoto University of Foreign Studies
Research Coordinator - MAVR Research Group
Founder - Together Learning
Developer - Reality Labo
Community Leader - Team Teachers
Chair - World Learning Labs

No advance registration required; Mark your calendars and join us!