Rumii: A Virtual Connection

Royalty-free image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay Rumii  is available, free, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now--what is Rumii?  And why might you want to use it? Quite simply, it's a virtual-reality platform that allows up to forty people--from all over the world--to meet and interact in one virtual space.   Participants can collaborate on a project, look at objects in 3D and learn new skills. In other words, if you're teaching, working remotely or homeschooling, it might be a very helpful resource. Chance Glasco is co-founder and CCO of Doghead Simulations, the Seattle-based startup which created Rumii.  And Chance is no stranger to innovation. In 2002, he was one of the original co-founders of California-based startup Infinity Ward.   Infinity Ward introduced the world to legendary game franchise Call of Duty.   Chance ultimately wound up working as a senior animator on the groundbreaking series. After leaving Infinity Ward in 2014, Chance would go on to work as a gaming consultant--and to co-found Doghead Simulations in 2016. Chance talked about his background as a creative, his experiences developing Rumii and how participants can put it to use, in the areas of education and small business. On this edition of Over Coffee®, you will hear: How Chance first became interested in virtual reality; The story of the creation of Doghead Simulations (and Rumii, currently in version 2.0!) How Chance decided to make Rumii available free of charge; Ways in which Rumii can be helpful in homeschooling, presentations and collaboration; One free resource Chance recommends, in addition to Rumii, for remote teams and educators; What to expect, if you've never tried VR (and the ways to use Rumii if you don't have a headset); How some of the newer virtual-reality programs restore the "human element" to interaction; Some of the ways virtual reality is serving communities; Why learning in VR can be more effective than reading and memorizing; One pastor's unique use of virtual reality to serve his congregation; Chance's vision for Rumii for the future.