Past and Future Presence
Lissa Crofton-Sleigh, Brian Beams · Amherst College Press eBooks · 2024
While uses and studies of XR technology within STEM-based education have been plentiful in recent years, there has been lesser or even, at times, a lack of coverage for this novel learning tool in the arts and humanities. Past and Future Presence aims to bridge some of that gap by presenting research-based theory and case studies of successful application and implementation of XR technology into postsecondary educational settings, ranging in topics from ancient to modern languages, classical and contemporary art, and reenvisioned historical scenes and events presented in ways never seen before. The studies also contemplate how this innovative medium can enhance and supplement learning in classrooms and other formal or informal learning environments. The volume as a whole is intended to demonstrate to educators, scholars, and researchers in higher education the potential value of integrating XR technology into their classrooms and to provide a strong argument for college and university administrators to invest in training and development of new research and content for classrooms inside and outside of STEM. The authors of these chapters come from a diverse range of backgrounds at different stages of their careers, providing a broad cross section of scholastic work within the humanities and arts. Each chapter offers a different angle or approach to incorporating XR technology into teaching or research within different subject areas. As the volume suggests, this technology also places additional emphasis on the humanity within the humanities, by focusing on increasing connection between users and different cultures, time periods, and perspectives. With contributions from Laura Surtees and Molly Kuchler, Elizabeth Wolfram Thill, Matthew Brennan, Ryan Knapp, Tim Gruenewald, David Lindsay and Ian R. Weaver, Elham Hajesmaeili, Fabiola P. Ehlers-Zavala and Jay Schnoor “One of the challenges of XR for humanities disciplines is understanding the potential and clearly seeing the benefit of these applications in a way that is relatable and directly applicable. As we see more experiences emerge that have the potential to impact humanities education and research, it’s important to make these studies available. This collection goes a long way in introducing how XR could positively impact research and teaching in the humanities, while still acknowledging some of the challenges to integration, sustainability, access, etc.” —Emily Sherwood, Director of Digital Scholarship and Studio X, University of Rochester Lissa Crofton-Sleigh is lecturer in the Classics Department at Santa Clara University, where she also serves on the advisory council of the Digital Humanities Initiative. Her research spans from Latin literature and ancient Roman culture to classical reception in music, especially opera and heavy metal. Brian Beams is the manager of the Virtual Human Interaction Lab (VHIL) at Stanford University. He assisted in the development of creative anatomy virtual reality applications, interactive performance art, and research in the application of new technologies for art and education. An auto-narrated audiobook is available via the "Download" button above.