By Abbie Bernet
12-10-2024

The University of Miami’s School of Communication is breaking new ground in immersive education, earning a spotlight in the Meta for Education Beta Program and leading one of the largest virtual reality education initiatives in the country. Under the guidance of Kim Grinfeder, professor and chair of the Department of Interactive Media, and Thomas Merrick, senior project manager of XR initiatives and adjunct lecturer, the university is redefining how students engage with learning.

At the inaugural Meta Educators Community Summit, Grinfeder and Merrick shared the success of UMverse, a groundbreaking initiative launched in 2018 to integrate cutting-edge immersive technologies into curriculum and research. This fall, UMverse debuted the First Year Directions (FYD) app, a first-year seminar designed to enhance student belonging and introduce the unique aspects of Miami and the university. Inside this virtual environment, students can sail Biscayne Bay, experience a glass-blowing class, paddle through mangroves, or run out of the tunnel with the Miami Hurricanes football team – all through a headset.

“VR is a communication technology that’s fundamentally changing how we learn and teach,” said Grinfeder. “We are building new worlds entirely out of information. By leveraging tools like Meta Quest, we’re bringing experiential learning to a new level and equipping students with the confidence to excel in any industry using XR.”

Since its launch, UMVerse has reached over 1,000 students across 40 classes, marking it as one of the largest VR deployments in education. With over 350 Meta headsets available, University of Miami students from diverse majors, including interactive media, film, computer science, music, architecture, and physical therapy, are collaborating to push XR boundaries. In FYD, students are encouraged to check out headsets and explore virtual experiences, which not only familiarize them with emerging technologies but also expose them to parts of campus they might never visit otherwise.

The FYD app stands out for its student-driven nature. Developed by undergraduate students at the Virtual Experiences Simulation Lab, the project brought together individuals from various schools and colleges, showcasing a multidisciplinary, hands-on approach to education. Merrick emphasized that creativity plays a key role in XR’s potential, “As the technology advances, it’s not just the tech-savvy students we need. We need creators, designers, and visionaries to make these experiences come alive.”

UM’s leadership in XR extends beyond the classroom. With the debut of the Bachelor of Science in Immersive Media, students are required to spend three semesters in the Virtual Experiences Simulation Lab (VESL), gaining hands-on experience in projects that integrate technology, creativity, and collaboration.

UM’s initiatives have caught the attention of other institutions and industries. Faculty are investigating how XR can revolutionize areas like medicine, climate communication, behavioral and physical therapy, admissions, and alumni engagement. The lab has ambitious projects in the works, including a VR recreation of the Orange Bowl game, highlighting how UM leverages XR to preserve cultural and historical memories for alumni.

“Virtual reality unlocks opportunities far beyond what’s possible in the physical world,” Merrick noted. “It allows us to create environments where students can experience, manipulate, and engage in ways that deepen their learning. This is the future of education.”

Discover immersive technologies and explore how UM is advancing XR innovation at the inaugural Miami XR Conference 2025, taking place on February 6–7, 2025, at the Coral Gables campus.