A Call for Proposals: “The Multimodal Learning Project”

College of Engineering, MARquette Visualization Lab (MARVL) and the Center for Teaching Learning

MARVL ( is a state-of-the-art, $1.2M, 1,700 sq. ft. space with computers, software, projectors, surround sound, and other hardware that produce three-dimensional (3D), immersive (i.e. >180 degree field of view) virtual reality environments. For example, the facility can be used to walk through simulated buildings that do not yet exist, show blood flow through an artery in vivid 3D, or simulate the dangerous collapse of a building in an earthquake with no danger to the viewers. The Center for Teaching and Learning invites proposals for the development of immersive virtual reality learning experiences using MARVL. Please feel free to direct inquiries to either Shaun Longstreet (8-1777) or John LaDisa (8-6739). Due dates for proposals are:

  • September 28th for a MARVL-enhancedcourse offered in Spring, 2016
  • February 29th for a MARVL-enhanced courseoffered in Fall, 2016

Award:

  • $3000.00 stipend for faculty; $2500.00 payable at midpoint of the course development and a final $500.00 payable upon submission of the assessment results. The stipend may be shared if more than one faculty member is involved.
  • Approximately 40 hours of consultation, programming and technical support from the MARVL team;
  • Access to the MARVL space during the semester of instruction.

Eligibility:

All full-time participating and tenure track faculty are eligible.

Application:

All proposals must have the following components in their description:

1)Problem statement(500 word maximum):

Describe how the use of MARVL can contribute to the achievement of a significant learning objective (or objectives, if necessary) in a course. This objective should be broad enough that it is applicable to the larger discipline within which the course is situated. For example, an objective to have students be more proficient at analyzing problems around kidney function in a medical clinic might be more effective if the students were able to experience the workings of the kidney as if they were inside it, evaluate possible procedures prior to their actual implementation, or virtually tailor the patient experience prior to visiting the clinic.

2)Outline of Learning Activities (1000 word maximum):

The proposal must have three distinct learning activities in one course over a semester that would use MARVL in ways that contribute to students achieving a specific learning objective. For example, what series of interactive virtual spaces or simulated environments and associated activities would better facilitate student learning?These learning activities could be three distinctexperiences, or they couldbe increasingly complex applications ofrelated visualization content.

3)Assessment plan (500 word maximum):

Based on the learning objective that MARVL activities are designed to help studentsachieve, how will student learning be assessed? For example: summative exams, proficiency in a particular activity, increased levels of participation might be measurements of observed student skills and/or knowledge application.

The proposal must indicate a commitment to document the incorporation of MARVL activities in the course implementation process. In the assessment plan of the proposal, indicate how student participation data and results of class progress will becaptured and summarized for dissemination?

4)Signature of support from Department Head needs to be appended to the proposal.

NB: Preference will be given to proposals that contain indications for sustainable learning activities (i.e. the course is part of a major’s requirement, a Core course, or regularly offered by the proposal writer). Likewise, activities that lend themselves to other courses in the discipline or beyond the University (i.e. technical training, industrial applications) will receive higher consideration.