About UniVirtual
Collaborative learning at infinite scale.
What is UniVirtual?
UniVirtual is a virtual learning platform that brings students and educators together in shared, interactive virtual environments.
Designed for higher education, our virtual environments allow students to learn alongside their classmates and instructors in real time, taking part in virtual labs, simulations, field experiences, and other activities built around their course.
Unlike most virtual learning experiences where students work through simulations individually, UniVirtual is multiplayer. Educators remain present and in control of their class, while every student can participate fully.
We currently offer virtual learning environments for Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and Economics, with new subjects and experiences in development. If we don’t currently offer environments for your subject, please get in touch with us to discuss how, together, we can make it possible.
How does UniVirtual work?
We believe technology should strengthen the relationship between students, their peers, and their educators. Since 2006, we’ve been building virtual learning environments where educators teach in real time, students collaborate directly with their peers, and complex ideas are explored together.
Students and instructors enter UniVirtual together as avatars. They explore, experiment, solve problems, and discuss what they're learning as a class while their teachers see what they’re doinng and help guide their learning.
Physical learning experiences can be limited by equipment, space, location, time, class size, and funding. Virtual environments remove many of those limitations.
In UniVirtual, every student can access the same virtual equipment and participate in activities simultaneously, even in classes of hundreds.
Virtualization also lets educators take students places that would be difficult, expensive, dangerous, or simply impossible to recreate in a physical classroom.
Our goal has never been to replace teachers but give them more ways to teach. We develop our learning environments alongside educators and subject matter experts so that all our virtual activities reflect real course content and teaching needs.
Educators aren't left to figure out the technology alone, either. UniVirtual provides teacher training as standard for your whole team, plus live human support within the virtual environment itself during class times.
“We are not interested in building completely automated systems; we build environments that help people communicate their expertise and knowledge in direct, impactful ways.
Socratic dialogue requires the opportunity to meet and discuss, something often denied to students and educators alike due to geographic boundaries, economic barriers, and class size. We have the technology to create more opportunities to enter into integral relationships with instructors as needed.
Virtual learning gives us the ability to break down barriers and bring people together.”
— William Prensky, President, UniVirtual
Our Story.
UniVirtual has been creating virtual environments since 2006.
2006: UniVirtual Founded (as CNDG)
William Prensky and a small group of emerging virtual technology enthusiasts begin designing, scripting, and building large, complex environments within the Second Life virtual world platform.
Our first large build becomes the most expensive virtual property ever sold on Second Life. Another early project — a detailed recreation of a real-world building — attracts the attention of Linden Lab, the company behind Second Life, who recommend us to our first commercial client.
2008: Virtual Broadcasting Spaces for NOW on PBS
We are commissioned to build a virtual broadcasting station for the independent news and documentary program NOW on PBS.
The environment includes a screening room, cameras, microphones, and a video broadcast screen. From within the environmennt, principal reporter Maria Hinojosa addresses the audience using her avatar.
2009: Virtual Sustainability Education with Pearson
UniVirtual joins Pearson as a virtual content creator and publishing partner. Together, we create a Sustainable Business and Green Science showcase demonstrating different aspects of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) compliance.
The interactive exhibition explores principles and technologies including green roofs, motion-sensor lighting, and passive solar technology.
2009: Virtual Product Demonstrations for Honeywell
For Honeywell, we create a virtual replica of its Minnesota headquarters to accompany a real-world exhibition of eco-friendly technology.
Working from architectural blueprints and product specifications, we create working virtual demonstrations including wind-power generators and an energy-efficient air-conditioning system.
2011: Delivering Virtual Veterinary Training
For Pfizer Animal Health, later Zoetis, we create a virtual campus and continuing education training suite for veterinary medicine.
Learners use simulated clinical cases in a virtual veterinary surgery to participate in real-time, case-based discussions covering a variety of veterinary specialties.
2012: The First Virtual Degree
We build a virtual college campus for a two-year Information Technology degree at Horry Georgetown Technical College. The environment allows students to study their major concentration courses within a shared virtual environment.
When the first cohort graduate in 2014, they become the first students to complete their major concentration courses in a virtual world.
2014: Virtual STEM with UCF and FSU
Working with the University of Central Florida and Florida State University, we develop a series of virtual STEM learning modules for undergraduate students.
Students use the environments to familiarize themselves with analytical machines and safety equipment, practice laboratory skills, conduct simulated experiments, explore habitats, and visualize concepts that are difficult to experience in a traditional classroom.
2017: Virtual Training for Healthcare
For the US Department of Defense Veterans Association, we create experiential virtual environments designed to train primary care providers working with returning combat veterans.
The environments explore the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD through simulated experiences designed to support greater understanding and empathy between healthcare providers and patients.
2018: Expanding Our Virtual STEM Courses
Following the growth of our STEM learning environments, we expand into additional courses and virtual technologies, including a new Energy and Physical Science course.
By this point, more than 25,000 students have taken courses using our virtual environments.
2019: Creating Virtual Spaces for Student Connection
We build a virtual academy for La Salle Academy designed to provide students with an inclusive space to meet, study, and access student services.
The environment includes study areas, a recreation center, counseling rooms, and quiet spaces for prayer and reflection, demonstrating how virtual environments can support the social aspects of education alongside formal teaching.
2020: Expanding into Virtual Conferences
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we expand our large-scale virtual conference environment for a pharmaceutical client.
The environment provides spaces for colleagues to meet, train, network, attend presentations, visit exhibitions, watch prerecorded material, and socialize virtually.
Learn more about hosting virtual conferences with us.
2021: Supporting Indigenous Education and Cultural Knowledge
Working in partnership with the Nokiiwin Tribal Council and York University, we begin developing a unique Indigenous Metaverse.
The project brings technology together with traditional Anishinaabe storytelling and knowledge, creating educational materials produced by and in support of Indigenous communities.
Learn more at www.biskaabiiyaang.com