People in the U-M community interested in further expanding their knowledge of XR technology can participate in one of the Center for Academic Innovation’s massive open online courses.
Michael Nebeling, associate professor of information in the School of Information, and associate professor of electrical engineering in the College of Engineering, partnered with the CAI to help develop a MOOC to help educate people on the fundamental concepts of XR.
“Extended Reality for Everybody” is available for free on Michigan Online to faculty, staff, students and alumni. The three courses offered teach participants how to design and develop XR applications, how to discuss the emerging key issues in the landscape of XR and how to bring XR into instructional setting.
Nebeling also leads the XR graduate certificate program. The program, offered through the School of Information, is open to all Rackham graduate students. The courses challenge students to develop XR design and construction skills as well as to think critically about the ways in which XR can impact several fields, including education, health care, engineering and entertainment.
Nebeling said he hopes students who enroll in the program learn how to ethically use XR and AI technology and will carry that into their future careers.
“I believe in change from within, and I want to have a few good souls working in this space so that they can make sure that their future technologies will actually be safe,” Nebeling said. “And I think enough of our students are out there who have the right values and mindset.”
