The Hampton University Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications Launching New Augmented Reality Lab

HAMPTON, Va. (June 16, 2020) – The Hampton University Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications is partnering with EON Reality to bring students a new Augmented Reality Lab. Augmented Reality, or AR, is the simple combination of real and virtual, or computer-generated, worlds. AR provides an interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects in the real world are enhanced by computer-generated perceptual information.

“We are very excited about the Augmented Reality Lab coming to the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications. This lab will offer our students an enriching learning experience that they will keep them at the forefront in the ever changing technological landscape of communications,” said Hampton University President, Dr. William R. Harvey.

B. DàVida Plummer, Dean of the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications, knows that this lab will be a great tool for future journalists to utilize. “Communication as we know it may never be the same post-COVID-19, and our need to tell stories will require technology that allows people to experience the event; to experience the scene; to experience the story. Augmented reality is that tool. I am thrilled to see the technology coming to the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications, so that our students are even better prepared to meet the challenges they await,” Dean Plummer said.

The new lab will be located in the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications Room 148. There will be virtual and augmented reality technology plus an 8 foot tall, 40 feet wide screen that will help to enhance the experience. 

“EON Reality has created a platform so it makes it so you don’t have to be a technology person to create augmented reality assets,” said Andre Smith, Network Administrator for the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications. “The new lab is going to be great for journalism students. Typically, journalists write on paper or on a computer. Now, with AR and VR, journalists can still tell their story, but they can augment their writing with photos. They can take 360-degree pictures of their story, display it in the lab and show others their added context. The more context you add to your story, the more likely your article communicates the point you’re trying to convey.”

Even though this lab will be housed in Scripps, it will be available for other departments to collaborate to give their students the opportunity to create unique content for their classes. “The entire campus could benefit from experiencing their courses with augmented, mixed or even virtual reality,” Smith said.

Scripps Howard Endowed Professor Willie C. Moore, who teaches classes like graphic design and animation, is planning to utilize the new lab for some of his courses. “The new equipment will allow us to keep up with the modern ways of storytelling in the use of journalism and documentary broadcasting in the industry. This opportunity could help in placing our students in the profession and competing in the broadcast and entertainment market,” said Professor Moore. “The new lab could also lead to enhance the motion graphics, animation and digital classes at Scripps Howard.”