University Of Alaska Anchorage: KPC Adopts New 'Realities' For Process Technology Classes

Press release from the University of Alaska Anchorage:

March 16, 2022

1. About UAA

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      UAA is the premier university in the heart of Alaska's largest city with campuses throughout
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1. 
   About UAA
   
   

   UAA is the premier university in the heart of Alaska's largest city with campuses throughout
   Southcentral Alaska. Where culture, innovation and adventure converge, the unique
   locations provide unparalleled access to industry connections, Arctic research, outdoor
   recreation and more, facilitating once-in-a-lifetime experiences, groundbreaking education and
   impactful careers.

   Popular links

   1. UAA 2025: Strategic Plan
   2. Chancellor
   3. Equity, Compliance and Title IX

2. About UAA

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5. UAA 2025: Strategic Plan
   

   ---

   1. About UAA 2025
   2. Putting Students First
   3. 
      Embracing Diversity and
      Inclusion
      
   4. Community Partner
   5. Impact through Innovation
   6. 
      Excellence Through
      Continuous Improvement
      

1. UAA 2025: Strategic Plan
2. Chancellor
3. Equity, Compliance and Title IX

1. Diversity and Inclusion
2. Equity, Compliance and Title IX
3. Green and Gold News

1. Chancellor
2. Academic Affairs
3. Administrative Services
4. Advancement
5. Student Affairs

1. Kenai Peninsula
2. Kodiak
3. Matanuska Susitna
4. Prince William Sound

1. About UAA 2025
2. Putting Students First
3. 
   Embracing Diversity and
   Inclusion
   
4. Community Partner
5. Impact through Innovation
6. 
   Excellence Through
   Continuous Improvement
   

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   UAA offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs that consistently prepare students for success after
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   2. Academic Programs
   3. Transfer to UAA
   4. FAFSA, Aid and Scholarships

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2. Admissions

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   2. Transfer to UAA
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   6. Military and Veteran Student Services
   7. Student Accounts and Refunds

1. Visit and Tour
2. Academic Programs
3. Transfer to UAA
4. FAFSA, Aid and Scholarships

1. Enrollment Services Center

1. How to Apply
2. Transfer to UAA
3. Academic Programs
4. Visit and Tour
5. Request more Info
6. Contact Admissions

1. FAFSA, Aid and Scholarships
2. Additional Payment Options
3. Check your Status
4. Student Responsibilities
5. 
   Cost of Attendance, Aid Types and Planning Tools
   
6. Military and Veteran Student Services
7. Student Accounts and Refunds

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   From 13 competitive NCAA teams to recreation and intramural and club sports, students have the opportunity to
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1. Seawolf Online Store
2. Recreation
3. Intramurals

1. Alaska Airlines Center
2. Seawolf Sports Complex

1. Upcoming Seawolves Games
2. Tickets
3. Staff Directory

1. Basketball
2. Cross Country
3. Gymnastics
4. Skiing
5. Track and Field
6. Volleyball

1. Basketball
2. Cross Country
3. Hockey
4. Skiing
5. Track and Field

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   Student Health and
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1. Student Union
2. Enrollment Services Center
3. Student Health and Counseling Center

1. Advising
2. Bookstore
3. Registration, Dates and Deadlines
4. Military and Veteran Student Services
5. Degree Progress
6. Transfer Credit
7. Graduation
8. Career Services
9. Student Account (Bursar)
10. Dean of Students
11. Disability Support Services

1. Engage
2. Organizations and Clubs
3. Activities and Programs
4. Student Union
5. Multicultural Student Services
6. Recreation

1. Housing Options
2. Apply for Housing
3. Current Residents
4. Info for Parents/Guardians
5. Contact Residence Life

1. USUAA Student Governance
2. Student Media
3. Concert Board
4. Green Fee Board
5. Club Council
6. Emerging Leaders Program

1. 
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   Located in the ancestral homelands of the Dena'ina, Ahtna Dene, Alutiiq/Sugpiak, Chugachmiut and Eyak peoples,
   Alaska Native curriculum at UAA provides an in-depth perspective on contemporary Alaska Native societies,
   languages, cultures, history, politics, art, governments and corporations.

2. Academic Programs

   ---

   1. 
      Alaska Native Studies
      — Anchorage Campus
      
   2. 
      Alaska Native Studies
      — Kenai Peninsula College
      
   3. 
      Alutiiq Studies — Kodiak
      College
      
   4. Alaska Native Business Management Minor

3. Student Support

   ---

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   2. Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program (ANSEP)
   3. 
      Alaska Native
      Community Advancement in Psychology (ANCAP)
      
   4. 
      Alaska Native, Indigenous & Rural Outreach
      Program (ANIROP)
      
   5. 
      Recruitment and Retention of
      Alaska Natives into Nursing (RRANN)
      

1. 
   Alaska Native Studies
   — Anchorage Campus
   
2. 
   Alaska Native Studies
   — Kenai Peninsula College
   
3. 
   Alutiiq Studies — Kodiak
   College
   
4. Alaska Native Business Management Minor

1. Native Student Services
2. Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program (ANSEP)
3. 
   Alaska Native
   Community Advancement in Psychology (ANCAP)
   
4. 
   Alaska Native, Indigenous & Rural Outreach
   Program (ANIROP)
   
5. 
   Recruitment and Retention of
   Alaska Natives into Nursing (RRANN)
   

Starting in fall semester 2022, KPC’s process technology (PRT) program will enhance
its A.A.S. offerings by employing immersive reality in its classes. The PRT program
has been awarded a Technical Vocational Education Program Grant to create web-accessible
labs using the “360 Immersive Reality” program.

The purpose for this development was to facilitate lab training for those students
in Alaska who could not readily travel to KPC for on-site labs.

The 360 IR technology is more advanced and user-friendly than the standard virtual
reality many people are familiar with. It requires no special headset, can be used
with reduced bandwidth and provides a three-dimensional effect on a flat-screen monitor.

These characteristics enable students to feel as if they are on location walking through
the Process Simulator at KPC, able to view all parts from every angle, including detailed
close-ups. Hotspot buttons are included in the programming to provide students with
immediate access to more information (in written and/or video format), which for students
is like having a mentor walking alongside them answering questions and providing explanations.

The 360 IR program is a proven tool now being used for training in a variety of process
industries, the military where applicable, and certain government entities. KPC is
one of the first process technology schools in the North American Process Tech Alliance
to use this technology for remote lab training.

Meanwhile, KPC is also submitting grant requests for another new development in virtual-reality
remote training. The “Augmented Reality” program would allow potential instrumentation
students throughout Alaska to complete a large percentage of the program regardless
of location, work schedules or personal circumstances.

AR is a new development, and its potential for training is just being realized. While
this type of cutting-edge training is much different than former programs, such methods
are now in the first stages of being used for process industry and some military and
are demonstrating the cost value and training efficiency with proven results. There
are no known instrumentation training programs nationally that have begun using AR
for remote lab training.

AR does require a headset that is adaptable to most home computer systems. Students
using the headset will feel as if they are on-site working on instrumentation equipment.
As students move their hands, they will see virtual arms and hands that follow their
movements. Students would feel as if they are using the necessary tools for instrument
disassembly, repair, reassembly, alignment and tuning.

While this is not actual hands-on work, AR allows students to move through a repair
scenario, gaining confidence, so that in the field they are more confident, safe and
efficient, having prepared and become familiar through AR simulation.

This press release was produced by the University of Alaska Anchorage. The views expressed here are the author’s own.