Interface is the means of communication between a human user and a computer system, referring in particular to the use of input/output devices with supporting software. These include graphics devices, touch-sensitive devices, and voice-input devices. There are many different types of interfaces.

Virtual Reality uses computer generated graphical simulations to create “the illusion of participation in a synthetic environment rather than an external observation of such an environment” (Gigante, 1993, p. 3)

(Preece, Rogers & Sharp, 2015, p. 178)

Reflection on the Topic

1. One of the main attractions of VR is that it can provide opportunities for new kinds of immersive experience, enabling users to interact with objects and navigate in 3D space in ways not possible in the physical world or a 2D graphical interface.
2. Using Augmented Reality can change where you walk, how well you do on tasks and connect socially. Quite a lot of research has studied the psychological impacts of both rudimentary virtual worlds and fully immersive VR experiences at Stanford. The hope is to get the pros and cons of the technology which will help improve future concepts and design.  
3. It is believed that Virtual Reality is going to be another great podium for everything from gaming to social interaction and possibly even international relations. Its benefits include applied teaching with a classroom for distant students who cannot physically attend a class or for students who are physically in class to learn a new way. Facebook bought Oculus in 2014 for $2 billion and now it is in competition with companies such as Sony, Google and Samsung who are all creating VR devices. Of course, where there are advantages, there are disadvantages too. Some negative psychological aspects include physical discomfort, isolation, desensitization and criminal activity.

Image from: https://www.industryweek.com/webinars/Industrial-Automation-Realities

My Thoughts

 “It connects humans to other humans in a profound way that I’ve never seen before in any other form of media. And it can change people’s perception of each other. And that’s how I think virtual reality has the potential to actually change the world.”

(Chris Milk)

Reference List:

1. Preece, Rogers & Sharp, (2015). Interaction and Design: Beyond human-computer interaction. West Sussex, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
2. Ouellette, Jennifer, (2019). Augmented Reality Changes How People Interact and Communicate, Study Finds. https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/05/augmented-reality-changes-how-people-interact-and-communicate-study-finds/
3. VR Life, (2016). Effects of Virtual Reality on Human Behavior. https://www.vrlife.news/effects-virtual-reality-human-behavior/