Incorporating Virtual Reality with Experiential Somaesthetics in an Embodied Interaction Course

Abstract

Engagement with virtual reality (VR) through movement is becoming increasingly important. Therefore, the VR developers should improve their bodily skills and learn how to use the movement as design material. In addition, first person accounts of the development and experience are necessary. Since these qualities are well-addressed in experiential somaesthetics, we explore the education space in VR, with attention to the first-person experiences, movement data and code. We present an approach for teaching and designing VR-based embodied interaction and describe simple projects implemented by the participants. The evaluation of projects indicates that the concepts, practices, and perspectives of embodied interaction were attained in VR. Our reflections contribute to the movement-based interaction education in VR, and its evaluation and validation by the first-person accounts, in addition to the data and program code produced.