Parisa Mehran gave a presentation on using virtual reality (VR) to help students learn about Iran in a more immersive way. She described taking students on VR field trips to significant locations in Iran, like mosques in Shiraz, to experience the colors and architecture. The students commented that VR made Iran seem beautiful and helped change stereotypes. They expressed interest in visiting Iran and using VR to experience other places. Mehran plans to expand the VR activities to include locations in the US to further expose students to diverse aspects of Iranian culture.

1. How do I
identify myself?

2. By
Parisa Mehran
MAVR SIG Showcase: Research, Projects, and Demos
JALT2017

3. I Am More Than A Stereotype
https://beyondyourstereotypes.wordpress.com/
Facebook: @BeyondYourStereotypes
Twitter: @BydStereotypes
Instagram: beyondyourstereotypes
#iamfromIran
#beyondyourstereotypes
#私はイラン人
#既成概念を壊そう

4. The first day of my English Conversation (英語会話) class at Konan Women's University

5. A brilliant idea from Chris Hastings
I want to help you add a VR component to
your talks/workshops about Iran.
I recently heard a quote about VR being
called an ‘empathy machine’ and it made
me think about you and your recent efforts
regarding “I Am More Than A Stereotype”

6. “How Virtual Reality Can Create the
Ultimate Empathy Machine” by Chris Milk

12. Group 1

13. Group 2

14. Group 3

15. Group 4

16. Group 5

17. Group 6

18. Group 7

19. Tehran

20. Golestan Palace, Tehran, Iran

21. Zoorkhaneh (traditional gym), Tehran, Iran

22. Dizin Ski Resort, Tehran, Iran

23. Tabiat Bridge, Tehran, Iran

24. Isfahan

25. Si-o-se-pol (Thirty Three Bridges)
Isfahan, Iran

26. Vank Cathedral, Isfahan, Iran

27. Shiraz

28. Eram Garden, Shiraz, Iran

29. Nasir-al-Molk Mosque, Shiraz, Iran

30. Tomb of Hafez, Shiraz, Iran

31. North of Iran

32. Masouleh, North of Iran

33. Namak Abrud, North of Iran

34. Nasir ol Molk Mosque
Or Pink Mosque
Shiraz, Iran

35. A rooftop world heritage site
where houses are built into
mountain & interconnected
Masouleh, Iran

37. Students' Comments
on Their Trip to
the HeART of
the Unseen Iran
via the VR Empathy Machine

39. I had a nice trip to a colorful
mosque in Iran. I did not
know that there is such a
beautiful place in Iran.
Someday I really want to go
trip to a mosque in Iran.

40. Many colors in Shiraz’s mosque make me
happy.
I feel calm in Shiraz.
I want to travel to Iran.

41. I’ve heard of mosque, but I saw it for the first time.
I was moved since it was so beautiful.
Pink was cute. I want to visit to mosque. I want to know about
mosque more..
I learned about mosque today. This mosque looks like a church.

42. It is different from Japanese temple (color and
form).
The mosque is similar to a temple but this
place is more colorful than temple in Japan. I
want to go to this place directly. Certainly, it is
more beautiful than my virtual trip to a
mosque in Iran.
I want to virtual trip to a mosque in other
places.

43. Iran has a beautiful, green nature.
I think Masuleh is a little dangerous
because buildings where people live are
likely to be at risk of natural disasters.

44. I was excited because Iran is beautiful and
clean. It was different from Iran which I
thought of.
Before I don’t know a lot of things to Iran.
But after I taked a class, I can know a little
things to Iran. Maybe people don’t
understand to different Iran and Irak. Me
too. But I can see Iran is very beautiful and
wonderful country. I want to go to Iran in the
future 
I have never gone to other country. So I want
to go to other country. I don’t know about
Iran. But I saw nice view by VR, I want to
know about excellent places of Iran and
other country.

45. I used Google Cardboard for the first time. I was impressed.
I think the recent technology is amazing. Did you buy
Google Cardboard? It was fun!
I want to try to use Google Cardboard when I won’t be able
to visit places that I want to go.
I want to see more places using the Google Cardboard.
I want to teach it to everyone.

46. VR is very useful to know about various countries.
I’ve never been to Iran. VR made me felt like I was there. I
want to go there and I want to see that with my own eyes.
VR is wonderful. We can travel everywhere!
I was so surprised. I seem to be really watching.
It was like I was in a picture book.
It seemed to be actually tourism.
I have a sense of going to Iran.

47. This picture was very beautiful and colorful
but it was too dazzling and I got drunk.
Iran is completely different from Japan.
I felt strange because it was a world I’ve
never seen before.

48. Future VR Plans
Add Tehrangeles to the activity to take the students
to Little Persia in the US.
I can overcome the travel ban with the help of VR :-)

49. Masouleh ‫ماسوله‬
Real Iran @real_iran
Iran Style @Iran_Style
IranUnveiled @IranUnveiledArt
https://www.freepik.com/
Photo Credits

50. Merci!
It's very common to
use the word “Merci”
in Persian to say
“Thank you”! 

51. A Blog Post
Diary of A Technophile
www.parisamehran.wordpress.com