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SCIL

SCIL

SCIL

SCIL infuses AR and VR simulation models into teaching and learning experiences.

Shenandoah Center for Immersive Learning

Shenandoah University’s Center for Immersive Learning (SCiL) is a state-of-the-art design studio and learning environment focused on virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and extended reality (XR) applications.SCiL supports faculty research, student coursework, and external client projects across media such as VR, AR, XR, 360 and 3D video, traditional videography, and more.

SCiL is on the path to becoming a nationally recognized studio, research facility, and educational environment for immersive learning and extended reality, pioneering advancements and innovations in education and the workforce.

Work With SCiL

SCiL frequently partners with the SU campus community as well as external organizations seeking to develop VR, AR, XR, or 360/3D video productions in partnership with the University. We are excited about working on interesting projects that help our students learn, innovate within the VR/AR/XR space, and work well with academic scheduling (fall, spring, summer terms).

If you are part of the SU community (faculty, staff, students, administration)

SCiL’s primary mission is to support Shenandoah University and its people, and we frequently assist with internal initiatives, including faculty research and student coursework. Please feel free to contact scil@su.edu or our directors to start a discussion about your concept.

If you are external to Shenandoah University

SCiL is motivated to work on innovative, showcase projects that provide educational and professional development opportunities for our undergraduate students. If you have an idea for a project or are interested in working with SCiL, contact scil@su.edu to start a discussion about your concept.

Proposals and cost estimates for external projects are prepared based on an overall assessment of time and resources required to complete a project.

See our projects section for examples of current and past client work.

Contact Us

Mohammad F. Obeid, Ph.D

Co-Director, SCiL
Program Director, Bachelor of Science Program
Associate Professor, Virtual Reality Design
mobeid@su.edu | (540) 535-3414

 

Nathan R. Prestopnik, Ph.D

Co-Director, SCiL
Program Director, Bachelor of Arts Program
Associate Professor, Virtual Reality Design
nprestop@su.edu | (540) 535-3477

 

Wes Brown
Immersive Technology Specialist

 

Lee Graff

Immersive Media Specialist
lgraff@su.edu

 

Explore our Current Projects

Constitutional Convention Debates

Shenandoah students, professors and the Shenandoah Center for immersive Learning (SCiL) are creating a virtual reality project that will transport participants back in time to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and the debates that took place there among the Founding Fathers of the United States.

debates

Learn More About the Project

Winchester Area Technology Entrepreneurs Virtual Reality, 360 Video, and 3D Modeling Help Available at SU at no cost

The Shenandoah University Center for Immersive Learning (SCIL Lab) is available for a limited time to help area entrepreneurs learn how Virtual Reality (VR) experiences, 360 Video and/or 3D models can help pitch new business concepts or promote tech startups. For an appointment complete the inquiry form or email us at scil@su.edu. This opportunity is made possible through funding from Go Virginia to foster business development in the Shenandoah Valley by helping entrepreneurs develop concepts and connect them to the Startup  Shenandoah Valley (S2V) accelerator program.

SCIL News & Announcements

SCIL Virtual Reality Experience

The Atmosphere Of Hate: Experiencing A Civil Rights Era Sit-In

Fantastic!! Being in the middle of the confrontation brought tears to my eyes. It took those sterile news reports and articles I remember as a kid growing up in Boston, MA, where I wondered why couldn't these people get a sandwich like anybody else and turned them into a gut wrenching reality. Congratulations to the team that put this incredibly powerful experience together!"

—Jeremy Becker-Welts

I wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU for the excellent display and interaction that we were able to host at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. The compliments have been pouring in and the experience was one that I personally found outstanding and immersive. What an amazing opportunity!  Any other opportunity like this—consider me already sold, just let me know when!  BRAVO, and thank you for thinking of the Alamo Drafthouse!

—Andy Gyurisin, Programming & Promotions Manager for the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema-Winchester

The Role-Player Workforce (RPW)

The Role-Player Workforce (RPW) will develop to meet the needs of immersive learning. A by-product of immersive learning will be the growth of a national workforce in role-players. This trend is already happening in reaction to the medical industry’s need for standardized patients, OSCE, and other human based training. The impact of Virtual Training upon the development of this workforce creates expanding opportunities for economically disadvantaged groups such as the elderly, veterans, and ESOL citizens. The RPW will build new techniques and best practices for professional role-players to engage learners in immersive world experiences. Shenandoah University has more than 5 years’ experience in training and deploying role-players at the highest level, working with entities including multiple divisions of the State Department, the United Nations, various hospitals, law enforcement, and regional fire departments.

Creating Hands-On Learning Opportunities through Simulation for Nursing and Health Professions Students

Role players, trained as actors in Shenandoah University's world-renowned Shenandoah Conservatory, through the Shenandoah Center for Immersive Learning (SCIL), help make medical simulation experiences unique. While the medical programs use mannequins in state-of-the-art and easily reconfigured simulation spaces, students also learn by working with acting students who role-play simulated patients. This arrangement allows medical students to interact with live patients before ever stepping foot on the job, and provides acting students with opportunities to practice their craft while still honing their skills. In addition to the role-player workforce, SCIL enhances the university's academic programs with 360 VR, augmented, and virtual reality technologies.

Visit SCiL

SCiL hosts visits of all kinds, including local, regional, national, and international groups. Past visits have included delegations from foreign embassies, federal and state government agencies, universities and colleges from around the world, area school districts, local governments and businesses, and interested individuals. SCiL also hosts workshops, events, and exhibitions of various kinds.

Visits typically last about one hour, but can be tailored to the specific needs of the delegation. A visit can showcase a variety of SCiL projects, focus on just one project of interest, demonstrate specific production facilities and equipment, be tailored to discuss topics of mutual interest, or start a conversation about potential client work. Most client work will eventually include at least one visit to SCiL.

Please understand that SCiL is a working studio space and educational environment. Visits and events work best during business hours (9-5, M-F) and will typically be scheduled to fit between class schedules, project meetings, and other lab operations.

If you would like to arrange a visit or event, send an email to scil@su.edu.

The Future Is Here!

Bachelor of Arts in Virtual Reality Design

The Virtual Reality, BA program prepares students for careers focused on the design of beautiful, usable, and engaging content for VR, AR, and XR games, simulations, and stories.

Bachelor of Science in Virtual Reality Design

The Virtual Reality, BS program prepares students for careers focused on the software engineering, programming, and technical design of AR, VR, and XR games, simulations, and experiences.