By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter

“New era in storytelling”: Virtual reality going beyond just video games

Mar 17, 2017 | 3:02 PM

LETHBRIDGE – While it’s still a new and developing technology, it seems virtual reality (VR) is one of the most up-and-coming trends for a number of different industries.
 
VR uses computer technology to create three-dimensional environments, typically controlled by body movements for a truly immersive user experience. This can be done on either a mobile device or with a special headset.
 
It is undoubtedly the future of the video gaming world, but there are even more practical applications being tapped in to, according to Kris Hodgson, digital journalism instructor at Lethbridge College.
 
At Thursday’s (Mar. 16) SACPA (Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs) session, he spoke about the unique opportunities VR can offer industries like healthcare, advertising, education and journalism.
 
Hodgson is currently taking a masters course in VR storytelling, through the University of Alberta’s Masters of Arts in Communication and Technology program.
 
“I looked at post-traumatic stress disorder and empathy, but I don’t have a background in psychology or neuroscience,” he explained in an interview with Lethbridge News Now. 
 
“So I dialed in, and I’m looking at storytelling and how we can enhance this technology for both journalists, and also for consumer perspective on how you can start to appreciate — and even sympathize — with these global events going on, and to really place you in the middle of the action.”
 
The college’s digital communications and media students have been studying how VR works, with Hodgson’s guidance.
 
They will have their first practical experience with 360-degree photography next week, where they will be challenged to cover a mock disaster scenario.
 
“We’re going to integrate it into curriculum. The students will then be able to film in 360-degrees. We’ll be working with a couple of media partners and a video production partner out of Calgary, looking at what is going to happen as far as best practices for making these pieces. It’s a whole new era in storytelling.”
 
Aside from education, Hodgson says VR is becoming increasingly popular with Lethbridge businesses. He gave Tecconnect as one example, which has begun using the technology to look at exactly what happens during an MRI scan.
 
Hodgson added that it’s a highly approachable medium, given that it’s so easily portable.