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Information Resources

Virtual reality headset
What is Virtual Reality?
Information resources on virtual reality

The following information resources constitute a quick glance at what is virtual reality from different areas and sectors. You will find a selection of news articles, company websites, and/or online services related to VR. These resources are not exhaustive, but they can be used as references for anyone new to the world of VR.

What is Virtual Reality?

  • Definition of Virtual Reality (Technopedia)
  • A guide to Extended Reality: What is the difference between VR, AR, MR? (Viget)
  • 360 Video vs Virtual Reality: What's the Difference? (Tech TV)
  • Book Experience on Demand: What Virtual Reality is, How it Works, and What it Can Do (Amazon)
  • Book Infinite Reality: Avatars, Eternal Life, New Worlds, and the Dawn of the Virtual Revolution (Amazon)

Virtual Reality in Industry, Entertainment, and Social Interaction

  • Coronavirus Has Made WFH The New Normal. Here’s How Virtual Reality Can Help (Forbes)
  • 5 Ways to Incorporate Virtual Reality Into Your Marketing Plan (Entrepeneur Europe)
  • Virtual Reality Marketing website
  • Report: Virtual Reality for Enterprise and Industrial Markets (OMDIA Tractica)
  • How VR & AR Are Changing The Face of Sales & Marketing: the Migraine Experience by GSK (Twitter Technews)
  • VR headsets more popular than tablets and wearables were at same stage (YouGov)
  • Virtual Reality (VR) - Statistics & Facts (Statista)
  • From Passive to Interactive: the Role of Agency in VR (Virtual Reality Pop)
  • Understanding Haptics for VR (Virtual Reality Pop)
  • Virtual reality PTSD treatment has 'big impact' for veterans (BBC)
  • Factual Storytelling in 360 Video (BBC)
  • The VOID website

What Equipment is Required?

  • The best headset VR headsets for 2020 (PC)
  • Best VR headsets in 2020: Standalone and PC-ready picks from Oculus, HTC and more (Wareable)
  • Oculus website
  • HTC Vive website
  • Samsung VR Gear website
  • VR Realities website
  • Google Cardboard (Google AR/VR) website
  • HeadGear website

VR Developers

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Two persons wearing VR headsets and gear
How does VR affect social interactions?
Social Research on Virtual Reality

The following information resources constitute a quick glance at current research on virtual reality from different areas and disciplines. You will find a selection of research articles related to VR. These resources are not exhaustive, but they can be used as a reference point for anyone new to the world of VR.

Virtual Reality and Social Interactions

  • Howard, M. C., et al (2020). A meta-analysis of virtual reality training programs for social skill development. Computers & Education, 144, 103707. Link to the paper
  • Santl, J., et al (2019). Gender Differences in Stress Responses during a Virtual Reality Trier Social Stress Test. International Journal of Virtual Reality, 19(2), 1–15. Link to the paper
  • D'Errico, F., et al (2019). “Prosocial”virtual reality as tool for monitoring engagement in intergroup helping situations (Vol. 74). Presented at the Socio-Affective Technologies an interdisciplinary approach SAT, At Bari.

Virtual Reality in Education

  • Ferguson, C., et al (2020). On the role of interaction mode and story structure in virtual reality serious games. Computers & Education, 143, 103671. doi: 10.1016/j.compedu.2019.103671
  • Makransky, G., et al (2019). Motivational and cognitive benefits of training in immersive virtual reality based on multiple assessments. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 35(6), 691–707. http://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12375
  • Chen, J. C., et al (2019). Developing a hands‐on activity using virtual reality to help students learn by doing. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 20(11), 1–15. http://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12389

Virtual Reality and Health

  • Kim, H. E., et al (2017). Effectiveness of self-training using the mobile-based virtual reality program in patients with social anxiety disorder. Computers in Human Behavior, 73, 614–619. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.04.017
  • Cornick, J. E., & Blascovich, J. (2016). VIRTUAL REALITY AND EATING, DIABETES, AND OBESITY. In D. Combs, J. A. Sokolowski, & C. M. Banks (Eds.), The Digital Patient: Advancing Healthcare, Research, and Education (1st ed., pp. 181–197). John Wiley & Sons.
  • Loreto-Quijada, D., et al. (2014). Differential Effects of Two Virtual Reality Interventions: Distraction Versus Pain Control. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17(6), 353–358. http://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2014.0057

Virtual Reality and Marketing

Virtual Reality Research Labs

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Man teaching a seminar in front of some people
Community Work in Northern Ireland
Community Organisations in Northern Ireland

Below you will find a selection of organisations focused on community development or peacebuilding work in Northern Ireland. Some of these organisations work exclusively on community work whereas others carry out community/peacebuilding projects in addition to their main activities. This list is not exhaustive, and there are many other organisations doing great work in remote areas of Northern Ireland.

  • Community Relations Council (website)
  • Cliftonville Community Regeneration Forum (website)
  • Shankill Women's Centre (website)
  • Greater Whitewell Community Surgery (website)
  • The Playhouse (website)
  • Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin (website)
  • Falls Community Council (website)
  • The Nerve Centre (website)
  • Good Relations Working Group at Mid Ulster District (link)
  • Community Dialogue (website)
  • Institute for Conflict Research (website)
  • The Belfast Interface Project (website)
  • The Peace Walls Programme (website)
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