360° Theater

Welcome to the 360° Theater at the ISPACE of California State University Long Beach (CSULB). 

Our 360° Theater is an immersive virtual reality projection cylinder designed to enhance educational experiences through cutting-edge technology. Think of it as a large VR headset that you and nineteen others can experience simultaneously. Our primary objective in this area is technology exposure, and we hope to inspire you to explore how it may evolve your teaching and learning. 

You can choose from 360° videos on sites such as Google Arts & Culture and YouTube or provide us with your own content to view in our 360° Theater.  Site and field videos and photos captured with 360° cameras or your smartphone can create immersive and repeatable learning experiences. Just like slide decks and presentations, 360° video and photos can be used as part of synchronous lectures, thus making them reusable. 

Why Use the 360° Theater? 

The 360° Theater offers a unique opportunity to engage students in new and exciting ways. By immersing them in 360°, you can bring complex concepts to life, conduct virtual field trips, and create memorable learning experiences.

Support and Resources

Before reserving the 360° Theater, please schedule a consultation with our team to discuss your project (send your link or file to i-space@csulb.edu). We understand that integrating new technology into your teaching can come with challenges. Here’s how we can support you:

  • Technical Assistance: Our dedicated technical staff is here to help with any technical issues, ensuring a smooth and seamless experience.
  • Content Preparation: We provide guidance on sourcing and preparing 360°.
  • Pedagogical Support: Our instructional designers are available for consultations to help you develop effective teaching strategies for the 360° Theater.

Potential Challenges and Solutions

  1. Content Preparation: Creating or sourcing appropriate 360° content can be time-consuming. We recommend starting with existing resources like Google Arts & Culture and YouTube. Our team can help you find and prepare content that aligns with your curriculum.
  2. Student Engagement: While the immersive environment can enhance engagement, it can also be overwhelming for some students. We suggest starting with shorter sessions and gradually increasing the duration as students become more comfortable.
  3. Pedagogical Adjustments: Teaching in a 360° Theater requires different approaches compared to traditional classrooms. Our instructional designers can work with you to develop new strategies for facilitating discussions and assessing student understanding.
  4. Accessibility: Ensuring that the immersive content is accessible to all students is important. We can help you consider diverse learning needs and provide alternative formats if necessary.

Equipment:

  • Igloo Vision Cylinder: 7-meter diameter (approximately 414.5 square feet)
  • Projectors: 6 full HD projectors
  • Sound System: 5.1 surround sound
  • Occupancy: Accommodates up to 20 people 

List of 360 Theater Resources

*An Igloo plugin is necessary to showcase your Unity or Unreal project in the 360 Theater.