CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE SAINT-LAMBERT
Students Dive into History with Virtual Reality

Students using the VR pedagogical activity have the opportunity to interact with characters and explore spaces based on archeological remains and historical record.

"It was fun to become a script writer," said Messier, who developed the storylines that were then brought to life by the company.

"We sometimes forget that the distant past is real. We see periods of history represented in movies, TV series, and games, but they seem so different from our own world that we often don't feel like they truly happened or that the people in them were as complex and real as we are. We dissociate rather than relate. By being immersed in virtual reality, students can experience ancient Rome at a very personal level, creating deep connections with the people of the past."

Indeed, using a mix of fiction and historical reality, Messier said the technology offers the unique chance for students to step into the past.

Following the successful integration of VR in the Nursing department, this is another example of how virtual reality can be used to complement course materials.

"I am pleased that Information Technology & Media Solutions had the opportunity to partner with our History department and Qbit Technologies to make an immersive learning simulation. This marks the second faculty partnership for IT&MS and demonstrates our commitment to the development of deep learning opportunities to enhance the learning experiences of our students," said Robert Hofstatter, head of Information Technology.