The Daniels Faculty is partnering with EON Reality, a global leader in augmented and virtual reality-based knowledge and skills transfer for industry and education, to incorporate immersive technology in the classroom. The use of EON-XR solutions for architecture students showcases the platform’s abilities to blend academic learning and real-world practical career training.

“With access comes possibility, and we are thrilled to imagine the possibilities that this new partnership brings to our Daniels Faculty community. Students will now have the ability to develop critical augmented and virtual reality (AVR) skills and apply them creatively to their architectural studies,” says interim dean Robert Wright.

The Daniels Faculty will first implement EON-XR solutions in Design + Engineering I – a multidisciplinary studio at the University of Toronto led by assistant professor Jay Pooley in collaboration with the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. “Bringing architecture off the page means exploring new modes of composing three-dimensional information in the classroom,” says Pooley. “Augmented and virtual reality helps to close the gap in design thinking while elevating the equity of instruction for a broader spectrum of learning types.”

Image Caption: Student work example from Design Engineering I by Michaela Tsvetkova, Maria Chen Liang, Selina Al Madanat, Boyao Zhang, Janishan Jeyarajah, and Gabrielle Flavien (Instructor: Jennifer Davis).

In Design + Engineering I, student teams composed of architecture and engineering students work together on a semester-long design project for a real-world client. Introducing EON-XR solutions in this studio will allow students to present and review models in AVR, survey architectural sites virtually, and much more. “In terms of course delivery, AVR means utilizing a new kind of inclusive textbook while simultaneously launching a new generation of immersive sketchbooks,” added Pooley.

EON-XR solutions will provide a new depth of opportunity for students and teachers to incorporate immersive technology into their daily education routine, while also learning more about developing and creating content as a part of the rapidly growing industry. The partnership will also provide local businesses and entrepreneurs an opportunity to learn about the platform and see how it’s affecting the next generation of workers.

“Although EON-XR has long been a popular solution throughout Canada, it is great to add a renowned university like University of Toronto to our list of partners in the country,” says Dan Lejerskar, Founder of EON Reality. “There are few academic institutions in the world with the history and significance of the University of Toronto, and we are privileged to be able to work with them on making their future as great as their past. I believe this has the potential to be a lengthy and powerful partnership for everyone involved, and I look forward to seeing where it goes.”

Header Image: Screenshot of the EON-XR platform.