{"id":11169,"date":"2017-02-13T08:05:18","date_gmt":"2017-02-13T12:05:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edtechteacher.org\/?p=11169"},"modified":"2020-01-22T16:51:20","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T20:51:20","slug":"create-immersive-virtual-reality-with-storyspheres","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edtechteacher.org\/create-immersive-virtual-reality-with-storyspheres\/","title":{"rendered":"Create Immersive Virtual Reality with Storyspheres"},"content":{"rendered":"

Though impressive, the first Virtual Reality offerings in education primarily consisted of pre-created experiences where students could explore famous landmarks, geographic regions and unique locations. \u00a0For instance, thoughtfully developed tools such as Google Expeditions<\/a>\u00a0and Nearpod VR<\/a>\u00a0allow teachers to guide their students through powerful pre-created immersive virtual reality environments. \u00a0While their approach allows students to consume and experience virtual reality, there are a host of tools now emerging that let users create virtual reality content. \u00a0What\u2019s more, creating virtual reality environments is no longer limited to those with an advanced skill set or access to advanced creation platforms. \u00a0Now anyone with a smartphone and access to a laptop can create and share VR experiences.<\/p>\n

\"VR<\/a><\/p>\n

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Virtual Reality Creation Tool: StorySpheres<\/h2>\n

StorySpheres<\/a>\u00a0is a powerful web-based platform to create Virtual Reality environments. \u00a0A project developed by Grumpy Sailor<\/a>\u00a0and Google, Storyspheres takes a unique approach to VR by allowing users to add audio to their 360\u00b0 sphere images. \u00a0Further, multiple 360 Storyspheres VR environments can be linked together, allowing the viewer to experience multiple VR environments with embedded audio. \u00a0The creation process with Storyspheres is exceptionally straight forward and the platform is easy to build with.<\/p>\n

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Here are 4 steps in the StorySpheres creation process:<\/h2>\n

Step 1: Create and upload 360 sphere images to Storyspheres. \u00a0360 sphere images can be created with most modern smart phones. \u00a0One strategy is to capture the images with a smartphone, upload the image to a cloud storage platform (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc..), download to a laptop and then upload to Storyspheres.<\/p>\n

Step 2: Once the 360 sphere image is uploaded to Storysphere, creators can add audio (mp3 files) to the image. \u00a0Uploaded audio can play as a loop within the VR experience, or the audio can be initiated by clicking on the audio icon when inside the VR environment.<\/p>\n

Step 3: Place the audio files in specific locations within the 360 sphere image & link to other Storyspheres.<\/p>\n

If the viewer needs to navigate back and forth between Storyspheres, be sure to link spheres together in both directions.<\/p>\n

Step 4: Publish and share either the web link or the VR Cardboard link.<\/p>\n