Augustana University was preparing to launch a new “Intro to the Future” course built around virtual reality. The opportunity was exciting, but the challenge was clear: creating a successful academic VR program requires more than selecting hardware. It demands the right mix of technology, instructional planning, classroom integration, support systems, and long-term operational thinking.
CM&D was brought in to help design the program from the ground up. Working closely with the university, we helped evaluate and select the right hardware, software, and mobile device management solution, while also shaping how the technology would function inside the classroom. The course was designed not only to introduce students to VR hardware, immersive navigation, and interactive educational simulations, but also to give them hands-on experience engaging in lightweight development work inside VR as part of their coursework.
Beyond the classroom experience itself, CM&D helped the university think through training, implementation, and the broader program structure needed to make the initiative sustainable over time. That included support around staff training, technology integration, and planning for how data and program insights could be organized to support long-term efficiency. The result was a more strategic launch model that reduced cost, improved readiness, and positioned the program for continued success.
The Goal:
Help Augustana University launch a successful academic VR program that was instructionally sound, operationally practical, and financially efficient. The broader goal was to prove that a well-designed consulting engagement could reduce cost, improve implementation quality, and create a stronger long-term foundation for immersive learning.
Our Approach:
CM&D approached the project as a full program design and implementation challenge, not simply a technology recommendation exercise. The university needed a partner who could help align classroom goals, technical decisions, training needs, and long-term program operations into one cohesive model. Using our SITE Framework, we helped shape a program that was built to work in practice, not just on paper.
Key elements of the project included:
