New Mexico State University (NMSU) has announced the successful implementation of its interactive learning lab, the Aggie I-Lab. This initiative equips NMSU Alamogordo faculty with the resources to incorporate engaging educational experiences into their courses. The Aggie I-Lab, launched as part of a collaboration between Project Ready, Commit, Continue, and Complete (Project RC3) and Learn New Mexico, is designed to enhance student preparation for future careers.
The RC3 Lab at NMSU-A was opened in October 2022 and is supported by the U.S. Department of Education through a Title V Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions grant. According to an NMSU press release, the lab uses Oculus Quest 2 headsets and specialized applications to provide participants with an enriched and personalized learning experience.
Sofia Ugarte, Title V Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions grant director, emphasized the importance of keeping pace with technological advancements in education. "With the introduction of virtual reality and other technologies like artificial intelligence, education is changing at a breathtaking pace, and we need to keep up," said Ugarte. "By demystifying these technologies and making them available to the NMSU-A community we are hoping to support and encourage that change, to keep students motivated and engaged."
Michelle Perry, founder of Learn New Mexico, also highlighted the benefits of immersive virtual reality in enhancing student engagement. "Immersive virtual reality has been proven to increase engagement and retention of learning content," Perry said. "Students are typically drawn to the use of head-mounted displays due to the novelty of the device but more importantly because it provides interactive and immersive learning experiences together. Through use of the controllers, students can interact in a meaningful way with learning content and use apps that are relevant to their interests such as art, science, and history."
Learn New Mexico offers innovative solutions for professional development in training, learning development, educational technology, and leadership. According to the organization's About webpage, it provides targeted support by crafting and overseeing strategic plans with action plans and success indicators aligned with specific objectives.