An XR Curriculum

I need to learn more about extended reality.

My issue is that I lack the specific language to analyze and discuss XR apps and their production.

And the long-term goals for this newsletter include application analysis and talking with developers, designers, and business leaders in the XR industry.

So I need to get better.

Luckily, the internet exists.

In this issue, I will discuss an inexpensive XR curriculum that will teach me the basics of extended reality design and development so that I can have a solid foundation to build my knowledge as I continue growing this newsletter.

This plan has been broken up into two semesters with courses from Coursera and Unity Learn. Both platforms are free to use with an option to pay for certificates when completed.

Since I already have university degrees, I tend to ignore certifications when I take an online course, but it might be worth being able to show that I’ve completed the course on LinkedIn and my resume.

But what really matters are projects.

During these courses, I will be creating virtual reality apps to build a GitHub portfolio that I can use to demonstrate what I’ve learned and will teach me the process of app creation firsthand.

Here’s what I plan on taking in the next six months.

Semester 1

Coursera’s XR for Everyone

This is an introductory specialization made up of three different classes created by a University of Michigan assistant professor named Dr. Michael Nebeling.

So far, I have completed the first week of the first class and it has been beneficial to learn how people within the industry talk with each other.

The first assignment was to classify apps as XR, VR, AR, or MR and explain our reasoning.

This has given me a good framework to analyze applications in future issues of this newsletter.

Coursera estimates that all three of these classes will take around three months, but I hope to beat that deadline.

The other two classes will act as introductions to design and development which makes this the perfect starting point for my XR education.

Unity VR Development

Unity is a game engine that helps in the creation of extended reality games and applications.

You are able to make everything from traditional video games to architectural mock-ups, and even casino games.

This learning pathway is a practical approach to using Unity.

The website estimates that the course can be completed within 6 weeks but with my limited technical background, I’ll probably add a week or two extra to account for the learning curve.

So far, I have tried the first few tutorials and found them easy to follow.

The first step was to hook up my Quest 2 to my laptop so that I can work on Unity and then check for any errors by simply putting on my headset which will help me iterate faster as I learn.

I look forward to creating an escape room in virtual reality as my first project.

Coursera’s Thinking Outside the Inbox: Email Marketing

This 25-hour course on Coursera will teach me the fundamentals of email marketing so that I can expand the subscriber base of The XR Letter and help more people learn about the extended reality industry.

I look forward to starting this course soon.

Coursera’s Introduction to Git and GitHub

GitHub is kind of like social media for software developers. I have started an account on the site, but am at a loss for how to do anything on it.

That’s where this comes in.

During this 15-hour course, I will learn how to use this as a tool to share my progress as I learn more about extended reality.

Once I have my first VR escape room from the Unity class, I’ll complete this and begin to develop an XR portfolio.

DaVinci Resolve

This is a free video editing software created by Blackmagic Design.

I have limited experience editing videos, but I have a lot of ideas for what I want to share with you like app reviews, Unity tutorials, projects that I’ll be working on, and interviews with XR professionals.

Plus, DaVinci Resolve is free.

Gotta love free!

The website claims that the classes are only a couple of hours, but I’m sure that I’ll be spending much longer to reach competency.

Semester 2

At this point, I should have my first VR project on GitHub, a solid foundation about what design and development entails, and have basic skills to reach more people interested in extended reality through The XR Letter.

The second semester of my classes will be focused on more advanced topics.

Let’s get into it.

Google Project Management Certificate

All XR apps are complex projects.

Working through this project management certificate will give me a better appreciation for how much work goes into a VR game or an AR mobile app.

I can take this on Coursera as well with an estimated completion time of six months, so this will keep me busy.

In the future, I want to work with designers and developers to create virtual reality games and experiences.

This education will help me to be a valuable member of a team.

When making creative projects the scope is limited by the resources available.

My hope with getting this certificate is that I will be able to create extended reality applications with set deadlines and budgets.

Unity Junior Programmer

I’m not sure how many times I’ve tried to learn how to program and I know I can’t run from it forever.

At the very least, I need to know how to speak with XR developers.

Yes, there are many ways to make these applications with no-code, premade assets, and now artificial intelligence.

But, at some point, I’ll need to stare at some code and know how to improve it.

The Junior Programmer pathway is said to take 12 weeks.

For me, it’ll probably take twice as long.

Unity recommends doing this pathway before the VR Development pathway, but I want to learn based on my narrow focus on virtual reality so I don’t get sucked down any rabbit holes that the vast programming landscape holds.

In the description, it says that this pathway has an optional certification that I can include on LinkedIn and my resume.

I’ll make a decision about that when I complete it.

Transmedia Storytelling

Star Wars, Marvel, Harry Potter, and Star Trek.

These are examples of Transmedia or Multiplatform Storytelling.

My personal interest in extended reality is how to bring story worlds to life.

Currently, I’m writing a historical fantasy book series that I hope to get published, and then make VR games based on the world.

This class is about 26 hours long and will hopefully give me a clearer picture of how to develop stories that can support various mediums like books, VR games, graphic novels, and television shows.

This kind of storytelling has already proved itself to be massively popular with global audiences and I look forward to seeing how extended reality can satisfy fans’ desire to live in these narrative worlds.

Projects

During the second semester, I should be able to use GitHub effectively and have at least one project posted.

From here, I’ll make small applications that test a game mechanic or an environment that interests me.

The goal is to be able to think of an idea, make it in Unity, and post it on GitHub.

Some ideas I have for future projects:

• Firing a bow while standing on a castle wall

• Speaking to an NPC with dynamic dialogue

• Searching a crime scene for clues

My focus will be on immersive VR games with story elements, so these projects will help me improve my skills to make those projects happen.

Continuous learning never ends

There are a few other courses that I came across like learning how to manage a budget for a project and AR Mobile development, but I have shiny object syndrome.

Seriously, if I were a magpie, you would see my nest from space.

So, these courses will provide me with the foundational skills I need to make this newsletter as helpful as possible for people wanting to learn about extended reality while giving me the means to participate in the creation of these applications.

Feel free to copy any part of this plan if you’re interested in learning more about extended reality.

Whenever I complete one of the courses, I’ll write a summary of what I learned to share my progress with you.

Until next time,

Sean