Virtual Reality Technology Could Bring Big Data to Life for UW Data Science Students

Soon, students in the University of Wisconsin online Master of Data Science courses might be putting on virtual reality headsets and bracing themselves for a spectacular ride through mountains of data, courtesy of one of our own team members!

UW Data Science Team on the Cutting Edge of Virtual Reality Technology

Ryan Martinez, an instructional designer for the UW Data Science degree, sees both a need and an opportunity to make Big Data come to life in a way that can dramatically change people’s behavior. His proposal to use Oculus virtual reality technology in the online UW Master of Data Science curriculum earned Martinez a highly coveted spot at the Oculus Launch Pad Boot Camp at Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, California, on May 21.

Oculus VR will provide feedback and mentorship to Martinez and 100 other pioneers joining him at the Oculus Launch Pad Boot Camp. Following the forum, Oculus will determine which concepts will earn scholarships ranging from $5,000 – $50,000, distributed with the objective of helping leaders realize their ideas.

“If data scientists could more quickly analyze data that’s already available, they could make faster decisions, act sooner, and potentially even save lives,” says Martinez. “All someone needs is a phone and a VR headset.  What we can do to bring the data from virtual reality into real life—it’s incredible.”

“We’re proud to continue to lead the way with new technologies and practices in higher education,” says David Schejbal, dean, UW-Extension’s Continuing Education Division. “Ryan’s concept may potentially lead to innovative tools we could offer our data science students, and is an interesting option they probably haven’t even considered.”

Check back for updates on Ryan’s participation in the Oculus Launch Pad Boot Camp!

Are you interested in data science and the possibilities it presents? Visit the UW Master of Science in Data Science homepage, download the program guide to the right, or speak with an enrollment adviser at 1-877-895-3276 or learn@uwex.edu to find out whether this online master’s program is right for you.