About the Course
Get an overview of the content covered in this course.
We'll cover the following
This course aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to
Throughout the course, we’ll learn about the fundamentals of the WebXR API, including how to set up a scene, create and manipulate spatial environments, and handle user input. We’ll then explore A-Frame, a popular open-source framework for building web-based VR experiences. Using A-Frame, we’ll create and manipulate 3D objects, handle user input, and create interactive experiences. We’ll also learn the core VR development concepts such as lighting, animation, 3D asset management, physics, locomotion, and user interaction.
But before starting our journey, let’s take a moment to reflect on where the internet is today, how it’ll change in the future, and how proficiency with the WebXR development stack could put us in an advantageous position.
Evolution of the internet
The internet has undergone several phases of evolution since its inception. In the early days, the internet was primarily based on a client-server architecture, where a central server would provide static content to its connected clients. Web 1.0 consisted of fetching read-only information from the central servers. Users could only interact by leaving comments or reviews on static web pages. With the growth and increasing popularity of the internet, the shortcomings of this model became evident, especially in terms of scalability and the absence of interactivity.
The second iteration of the internet, Web 2.0, is more participatory. The content is dynamic and generated mainly by the users themselves. It consists of photos, videos, and audio uploaded onto central servers owned by tech/social media giants like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Google. The users have less or no control over their data becuase they don’t own any of it.
These privacy and data ownership concerns led us to envision Web 3.0: a decentralized internet based on blockchain technology. It’s a more open, transparent, and secure internet, where users have more control over their data and online experiences. Web 3.0 technologies like Ethereum and
Similarly, the metaverse is an emerging concept of a virtual shared space where users can interact with each other, access information and services, and participate in various activities, from socializing to commerce. The metaverse is a new frontier for the internet, built on the foundations of Web 3.0 technology. It’s expected to impact how we interact and experience the web significantly.
Back in 2007, mobile phones transformed how we go about our lives. The smartphone disrupted the internet and unlocked a new era of possibilities. Today, VR technologies come with a similar promise of abundant opportunities. VR technologies have become some of the key drivers of Web 3.0. Recent advances in computer graphics and networks have further catalyzed humanity’s shift to the metaverse and phenomenally changed how we experience and interact with the internet.
Why should we learn VR?
We know that VR is great, but why should we invest time in learning about VR development? Here are three strong reasons to prepare for this world of new possibilities:
Creative expression: VR gives us an opportunity to experiment with our ideas. People from all backgrounds, such as education, healthcare, and technology, can harness metaverse technologies to their specific use cases. Moreover, VR development allows developers to create immersive, interactive experiences that can transport users to new worlds, improve their understanding of complex concepts, and more. Learning VR development can enable creators to try new approaches to tackle hard problems in fields as diverse as education, psychology, healthcare, and engineering.
Applications: In the near future, our access to the internet and applications won’t be limited to flat screens. As immersive technology gains popularity, the need to develop and explore the creation of programs and functions for these devices becomes more crucial. From healthcare interventions to cinematic masterpieces, VR has immense potential to revolutionize various industries.
The excitement around these technologies has harnessed great interest in VR development. VR technologies are fundamentally transforming how we approach business, healthcare, gaming, and nearly every aspect of our lives in the foreseeable future. To truly understand the impact of these technologies, we need to learn the skills that help us build this reality.
Market size: According to
Overall, XR development is an exciting and rapidly growing field that offers many opportunities for those interested. It offers a challenging, creative, and well-paying career path with a wide range of opportunities to work in different industries.
Course prerequisites
Here are some prerequisites to take this course:
Some experience with coding or programming in general
Basic understanding of virtual reality and its associated development tools
Some familiarity with web development languages such as HTML, CSS, and Javascript
Conclusion
This course introduction provides a glimpse of the content we’ll explore, including an overview of the course, insights into the evolution of the internet, reasons to embark on our VR learning journey, and the necessary prerequisites. We’re now well-prepared to dive into the course material with a clear understanding of what to expect.