Figure 1. VR Workshop
Istanbul Aydın University New Media Application and Research Center is positioned as both an academic center in the field of new media and an application laboratory that serves the industry. Our center contributes to the training of qualified individuals needed by the sector by enabling students to put their theoretical knowledge into practice.
The main objective of our center is to conduct scientific research in the field of new media, produce solutions to current problems, and publish these results in international peer-reviewed journals. In addition, we aim to enrich students’ digital experiences by providing opportunities such as a VR laboratory to support their projects.
Cooperating with companies in the new media sector to offer internship and employment opportunities to students is also among our center’s priorities. In this way, our students will be able to integrate easily into the sector after graduation.
Our center also supports the Undergraduate and Graduate Programs of New Media and Communication Systems. By organizing seminars and workshops specifically for students, we contribute to their academic development. In short, our center enables our students to be better prepared for the future by establishing both academic depth and sectoral connections in the field of new media.
Figure 2. An Experimental Game Design on the Measurement of Virtual Reality (VR)–Supported Therapy Applications – BAP Project
With the rise of the metaverse, new communication technologies are assuming a transformative role in the field of healthcare, as in all areas of human life. In this study, the psychological and physiological effects of a metaverse-based game called “Healing Game” on Generations X, Y, and Z will be examined by measuring them with an EEG device. The game falls within the category of serious games and aims both to entertain and to educate. While players interact with different in-game scenarios, their brain activities will be recorded in real time. The data obtained will reveal the effects of the game on emotional states as well as its potential to be used as an educational tool. This research will offer new perspectives on the use of metaverse technologies in the healthcare field and will provide an important foundation for future studies.
Figure 3. New Media Workshop Team
Established in 2021, the New Media Workshop aims to contribute to students’ professional development within the industry. Within the scope of the workshop, social media and event coordination units have been established, enabling students to take an active role. The primary goal of the workshop is to allow students to put the knowledge they acquire in courses into practice, gain experience before entering professional life, and add content to their own portfolios. Students from all class levels participate in the workshop. Workshop activities are divided into two main areas: social media coordination and event coordination. In the workshop, which includes students from all academic levels, peer learning is encouraged; senior students and newly enrolled students come together to brainstorm while sharing ideas and knowledge. Teaching content production, creative practices, and organizational management is fundamental to the workshop. In addition, through events such as webinars, seminars, workshops, field trips, and alumni gatherings organized by the workshop, students are provided with up-to-date industry knowledge and opportunities to build professional networks. The New Media Workshop continues successfully through students’ voluntary participation, and students serving in social media and event coordination roles enter the industry well-equipped by specializing in digital content production and organizational management. Students involved in Social Media Coordination gain knowledge in digital content production and develop expertise in managing social media accounts, while those involved in Event Coordination acquire competencies in the field of organizational management. The workshop offers students a broad working platform across many areas, including creative practices, digital content production, design, UX and UI design, hosting/presentation, photography, and editing.
