Welcome to an exciting chat about the world of virtual reality! I’m Cat Leiaramos, a software engineer at Code.org, and I’m thrilled to guide you through this fascinating topic. Today, we’re joined by Tanya Parker, a Senior Technical Program Manager at MetaQuest, who will share her experiences in creating virtual reality (VR) experiences.
Tanya works at MetaQuest, where she helps build immersive 3D experiences using devices like the Quest 2. Imagine playing a video game where you’re not just looking at a screen but are completely surrounded by a new world. That’s what VR is all about!
One of Tanya’s favorite VR games is Beat Saber, where you use a virtual sword to slice through blocks to the rhythm of music. It’s a thrilling way to experience VR!
Tanya’s job involves working with a team to solve problems and create enjoyable VR experiences. They focus on making sure everything looks and feels right while keeping users’ privacy safe. One of their projects is to enable notifications in the VR headset, so you don’t have to take it off to check your phone.
They’re also working on making it possible to interact with VR environments using just your hands, without needing controllers. This makes the experience even more natural and exciting!
Tanya emphasizes the importance of collaboration and listening to different perspectives. By including diverse ideas, they can create better experiences for everyone. This approach helps them solve unique challenges in the VR world.
Tanya loves creating experiences that millions of people can enjoy. Even small features can make a big difference in how people relax and connect with others. Her job also allows her to maintain a good work-life balance, giving her time to enjoy outdoor activities and travel.
When Tanya was younger, she explored many interests, from law to criminology. However, she discovered her love for computer science in high school. It combines creativity and analytical skills, which she finds incredibly rewarding.
Looking ahead, Tanya believes that VR technology will continue to evolve. In the future, headsets might become smaller and more integrated into our daily lives, possibly even as contact lenses!
Tanya encourages students to stay open-minded and not be afraid of making mistakes. Learning computer science is about solving problems and creating something new, which can be very satisfying.
Thank you for joining us on this journey into the world of virtual reality. We hope you found it inspiring and informative!
Imagine you’re a VR developer like Tanya Parker. Design your own VR game concept. Think about the environment, the main objective, and how players will interact with the game. Share your ideas with the class and discuss what makes your game unique and engaging.
Form small groups and work together to solve a problem related to VR. For example, brainstorm ways to improve user interaction without controllers. Present your solutions and explain how teamwork helped you come up with creative ideas.
If possible, try out a VR headset and play a game like Beat Saber. Reflect on the experience: How does it feel to be immersed in a virtual world? What aspects of the game make it enjoyable? Share your thoughts with the class.
Discuss in groups what you think the future of VR might look like. Consider advancements like smaller headsets or VR contact lenses. How might these changes impact daily life? Share your predictions and listen to others’ ideas.
Explore the basics of coding by creating a simple VR scene using a platform like A-Frame or Unity. Experiment with adding objects and interactions. Share your creations with the class and discuss the challenges and rewards of coding.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hello and welcome to today’s MyJourney class chat! My name is Cat Leiaramos, and I’ll be your host for today’s discussion. A little bit about myself: I’m a software engineer at Code.org, which means I get to code all day.
First of all, thank you to all the teachers and students for joining us today. Teachers, just so you know, we have enabled live captioning for all of our class chats today and going forward, so you’ll see that on the screen.
Today, we have the pleasure of talking with Tanya Parker, who helps build virtual reality experiences at MetaQuest. We’re very excited to talk to her today! As we go through our discussion, if you have any questions, please put them in the chat, and if we have time at the end, we’ll try to get to as many as we can.
To kick us off, I’d like to start with a fun icebreaker. I’ve been doing a lot of show and tell while being at home during the pandemic. So, I’ll pick something from around my desk, show it to you, and tell you about it.
Today, my show and tell is these slippers that look like dumplings. They’re very soft and warm, and they plug in to power to keep my feet nice and cozy when it’s cold.
Now, I’ll pass it off to you, Tanya! Please give us a little show and tell and introduce yourself.
Tanya: Sure! Who doesn’t love cozy things? These are some stuffed animals from “My Neighbor Totoro,” a Studio Ghibli film. I love many Studio Ghibli films, especially those directed by Miyazaki.
Hi everyone, my name is Tanya. I’m a Senior Technical Program Manager at MetaQuest, and I work on creating virtual reality experiences. If you’ve seen the Quest 2, it’s a popular device for connecting to these experiences. As a Technical Program Manager, I collaborate with various roles to problem-solve and create immersive 3D experiences.
Virtual reality is like playing a video game, but instead of 2D, it’s 3D, and you’re completely surrounded by a new environment. Here’s an example of what the Quest 2 looks like, and I get to work with it almost every day.
Yes, I think I’ve played a virtual reality game called Beat Saber. It’s cool because there’s music, and you use a virtual sword to cut through blocks. It’s an exciting experience!
Tanya: Virtual reality can be limited only by your imagination. One of the projects I work on involves enabling notifications on your headset, so you don’t have to remove it to check your phone. This way, you can stay engaged in the virtual reality space.
That’s fascinating! It sounds like you could live in virtual reality all the time with notifications coming through.
Can you tell us what a typical day looks like for you at work?
Tanya: I have a collaborative job, which means I work with many people. We have meetings to solve problems and decide how things should look and feel. We want to ensure that people have fun and enjoy the experience while protecting their privacy.
One cool thing about the Oculus Quest is the controllers that allow you to interact with the environment. We’re working on getting rid of the controllers so you can use your hands to interact naturally.
That sounds exciting! It must be challenging to solve problems that haven’t been addressed before.
Tanya: Yes, it’s important to listen to everyone’s perspectives when collaborating. Being open to different ideas helps us weigh the pros and cons and make better decisions together.
It sounds like including more people in problem-solving can lead to better outcomes.
Tanya: Absolutely! The more diverse your team, the better you can represent the people you’re creating for, especially since virtual reality is for everyone.
What do you love about your job?
Tanya: It’s exciting to create experiences that millions of people can enjoy. Even small features can significantly impact how people relax and connect with others. I also appreciate the work-life balance it provides, allowing me to enjoy outdoor activities and travel.
I love that! I also have a fondness for Jollibee, a Filipino fast-food chain. If anyone gets a chance to try their fried chicken, it’s fantastic!
A quick reminder for teachers and students: if you have any questions, feel free to put them in the chat.
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Tanya: I had many interests! My parents wanted me to be a lawyer, which seemed cool at first. I also enjoyed criminology and landscape architecture. Eventually, I discovered computer science in high school and fell in love with it. It combines creativity and analytical skills, which I really enjoy.
Your journey shows that it’s important to explore different interests.
Tanya: Yes, you never know what you might love until you try it!
We have a question from the audience: Do you think in a hundred years, most people will have VR headsets, maybe even for free?
Tanya: Technology evolves rapidly, and I believe it will look completely different in the future. Headsets may become smaller and more integrated, perhaps even as contact lenses or something more advanced. I think virtual reality will become a significant part of our lives.
What advice would you give to students starting to learn computer science?
Tanya: Stay open and give it a shot! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; that’s part of the learning process. It’s satisfying to solve problems on your own, and the feeling of creating something is incredibly rewarding.
Thank you so much, Tanya! We’re wrapping up on time here. Thank you to everyone for joining us today. We have more class chats coming up this spring, and you can find information about past chats at Code.org. Teachers, please check your email for surveys; your feedback is invaluable to us. Thank you again, everyone!
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This version maintains the essence of the conversation while removing any informal language and ensuring clarity.
Virtual Reality – A computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional environment that can be interacted with using special electronic equipment. – Many video games now use virtual reality to make players feel like they are inside the game world.
Computer Science – The study of computers and computational systems, including their theory, design, development, and application. – In computer science class, we learned how algorithms help solve complex problems.
Teamwork – The collaborative effort of a group to achieve a common goal or complete a task in the most effective and efficient way. – Successful software development often requires teamwork, as different people contribute their unique skills.
Coding – The process of writing instructions for a computer to execute, using a programming language. – We spent the afternoon coding a simple calculator in Python.
Experiences – Interactions or activities that involve direct participation or observation, often leading to knowledge or skill development. – Building my own website was one of the most rewarding experiences in my coding journey.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry and everyday life. – Advances in technology have made it easier for people to connect with each other around the world.
Immersive – Providing a completely engaging or absorbing experience, often by using technology to create a realistic environment. – The immersive nature of the virtual reality game made it feel like I was actually exploring a new planet.
Creativity – The use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness. – Coding allows for creativity, as you can build anything from a simple app to a complex game.
Problems – Challenges or issues that require a solution, often encountered in coding and computer science. – Debugging is the process of finding and fixing problems in your code.
Devices – Electronic equipment or tools designed for a specific function, often used in computing and technology. – Smartphones and tablets are common devices that people use to access the internet.
