Immersive Learning Using Mozilla Hubs
- MrAWhite
- February 10, 2022
This is a growing list of educational experiences using Mozilla Hubs. This post will continue grow over time as we learn about what works in immersive learning and what doesn’t. If you would like to contribute an experience feel free to leave a comment or use the Contact page.
Table of Contents
What is Mozilla Hubs?
Mozilla Hubs is an open-source, free collaboration tool that is easy to use, secure, and a lot of fun. The platform is web-based and does not require any downloads, it is compatible with most VR hardware and 2D desktops (external mouse is recommended). Hubs allows you to fully customize your room with the compatibility with a wide variety of external applications to bring in 3D models, animations, pictures, websites, and other media. You can customize your avatar, name and have full control over members in the room (students).
Educational Spaces in Hubs
Mozilla Hubs features an inspiring collection of educational spaces shared by members in the Discord server. The Creator Labs page is a great place to find other resources and ideas for Hubs.
Social Sciences
Importing 3D Models to a Hubs Scene
Mozilla Hubs integrates with a massive Sketchfab 3D library. Sketchfab allows you to search and embed 3D models listed as free or in the Creative Commons. You can use these models to teach history, geography, engineering or science.
Explore “Sketchfab and 3D for Education” a Hubs space created by Thomas Flynn, Cultural Heritage Lead at the company who looks at various ways models could be used in a learning environment.
Science
Journey Through the Heart
Journey Through the Heart is an experience designed by Greg Dorsainville and Kristen Ramirez. This scene takes viewers through various structures and functions of the heart. More information about the experience can also be found here.
ScienceVR
ScienceVR is building a metaverse for visualizing and exchanging knowledge based on Mozilla Hubs (custom client) and Ethereum (ERC20 and NFTs). Their growing collection of experiences such as Mary Shelly’s Gothic Mansion or Albert Einstein’s Imaginary Study are a wonder to explore. ScienceVR creates virtual reality (VR) laboratories for learning sciences and is a resource for K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.
Visualizing Lewis Carroll’s book – The Game of Logic in a wonderland garden maze pic.twitter.com/JEn63QYEcq
— ScienceVR (@sciencevr) March 11, 2022
Language Learning
Bringing Hubs to the Language Classroom
Read an article posted on the FTL Magazine about Rachel’s’ experience using Mozilla hubs with her students at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
“Hubs offers a host of possibilities for the online, blended, or hyflex language classroom. Virtual rooms can be used for synchronous class meetings, scavenger hunts, online language hangouts, creating virtual exhibits, or presentations; really, there are endless possibilities.” – Rachel Mamiya Hernandez
VR Latin Learning Environment
Gabriel Baker, founder of FrameVR, showcases an example of an immersive learning environment focusing on Latin.
Setting up a fun, multi-user VR Latin learning environment with Spoke to use with Mozilla Hubs. A nice 3D model from @Sketchfab, a Latin inscription, a video + a painting from Pompeii depicting a riot in the amphitheater. Excited to share this @magistrazee #arvrinedu #edchat pic.twitter.com/igXD1xd4FQ
— Gabriel Baker (@gabrieljbaker) January 21, 2019
Mozilla Hubs to Teach ESOL
In this video Ekaterina Semeniuk presents how she used Mozilla Hubs to teach English as a foreign language.
Student Showcase
Showcasing STEM Projects
Benjamin James, an international educator, works with students across the globe to curate STEM-related projects and activities using Mozilla Hubs. Check out his tutorial on how to create spaces with Hubs.
The Virtual Maker Event is a hit! Students love exploring the 3D worlds a network of schools created to display their pandemic creations!
10 galleries, a play room, and 2 new “spatial video chat” rooms @Workadventure_ and @wonder_chatters. Making Virtual Real! #vme #steamhead pic.twitter.com/EsWz7DHWuA— Benjamin James (@JamesLearns) February 4, 2021
Virtual Art Gallery
In the midst of the pandemic, educator Anthony White collected and displayed a wide collection of student artwork. Two large galleries feature traditional art, digital art, and music created by TEACH-NW students.
Celebrating Recent Graduates
The Wellesley HCI Lab in Massachusetts created a special space to celebrate recent graduates. Check out their Mozilla Hubs space here.
The Wellesley HCI Lab would like to extend a warm welcome back to all students! We’re looking forward to a great semester in our virtual HCI lab.
We decorated our virtual Mozilla Hubs lab space to celebrate the class of 2021 seniors! 🍀💚#Wellesley2021#evergreenWellesley pic.twitter.com/DsIAkKfeVD
— Wellesley HCI (@WellesleyHCI) February 15, 2021
Professional Development
Immersive Learning Applications
Some innovative creatives at DBLab in Brazil have been building some experiments with a big Brazilian educational group since 2020, from kinder to university. Explore an expansive collection of examples of educational uses in Mozilla Hubs. Content is in Portuguese.
Virtual Classrooms
Custom Hubs Clients
An additional benefit of Hubs is the ability to create your own branded environment, known as a Hubs Cloud. The Eduverse, created by Avantis Education, is an exceptional example of a custom Hubs client. The Eduverse is a revolutionary online learning environment providing a safe and secure ‘metaverse’ for K-12 schools. Students can explore a vast library of classroom-ready educational resources and visual examples.
The Nottopia Learning Space
Gary Burnett at the University of Nottingham created virtual teaching space, Nottopia, used for all class interactions with around 100 Engineering University students every fall/autumn semester. He notes how how his space changes substantially every year as his understanding on what works/doesn’t work improves. Check out the current manifestation of his space.
Engaging Learners with Mozilla Hubs
Sage Freeman from Chemeketa Community College and Monica Marlo M-G at Portland Community Collegel explore virtual spaces where students and faculty can meet and collaborate using a computer, smartphone or VR Headset.
