Montclair State University Launches New Virtual Reality Facility
Built in partnership with Dreamscape Learn, the immersive learning environment will expand experiential education and prepare students for careers in virtual reality and digital media
Montclair, NJ (09/01/2026) — Montclair State University today opened a new virtual reality learning facility that will bring coursework to life for students across disciplines while helping train the next generation of virtual reality content creators.
"At Montclair, we are committed to driving a culture of innovation in everything we do," says Montclair President Jonathan Koppell. "To maximize our potential as a university, we must consistently look towards the future and equip our students, faculty and staff with the latest tools and technology needed to thrive both now and in the future. Our partnership with Dreamscape Learn is the latest advancement in furthering this mission, and we are excited about all of the possibilities it will create for our community."
Built in partnership with Dreamscape Learn, an immersive learning company that uses cinematic storytelling and virtual reality to deliver learning experiences grounded in research-backed pedagogy, the new on-campus facility will serve more than 24,000 Montclair students.
Montclair will join a growing group of innovative colleges and universities across the country using Dreamscape Learn, including Arizona State University, Rowan University, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
"When students are captivated and energized by the experience of school, they succeed," said Josh Reibel, CEO of Dreamscape Learn. "Montclair is investing in a whole new approach to learning that turns curriculum into experiences students live, not lectures they sit through. It creates the kind of college experience today's students are looking for."
The 2,450-square-foot virtual reality lab is housed in Montclair's College of Communication and Media building. The facility is partially funded through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority's "New Jersey Film Works Grant Program" and is part of a state-wide effort to bolster the digital media industry in the Garden State.
Bringing Coursework to Life
Montclair's facility will include a 26-seat classroom and a free-roam pod that allows students to freely walk through a virtual world to bring course materials to life like never before.
Dreamscape Learn combines a student-centered approach, 360-degree motion-capture technology and highly advanced haptics - physical stimuli involving vibrations and other motions to simulate touch - to create a truly immersive educational experience.
Montclair will offer Dreamscape Learn's signature course, "Biology in the Alien Zoo", which sends students to go on a series of missions in an alien ecosystem. Working together, students conduct virtual fieldwork, collect and analyze data, and apply scientific concepts as they try to save an alien species from extinction.
Improving Student Outcomes
The new facility will strengthen Montclair's commitment to creating life-changing outcomes for all students.
Students taking Biology at Arizona State University, which opened the first Dreamscape Learn Lab in 2021, are nearly two times more likely to earn an A grade in lab assignments when compared to students in regular course sections. Montclair will expand available course offerings over time to create even greater access to the space for students of all majors.
In addition, students will get hands-on learning opportunities in a rapidly growing field with the ability to train on the industry's leading technology.
"The Dreamscape Learn Lab will offer practical, real-world skills development in virtual reality, a critical medium for the future," says College of Communication and Media Director Keith Strudler. "Our students will graduate knowing how to storyboard, design, code, and run virtual, preparing them for vibrant careers in our tech- driven economy."
About Dreamscape Learn
Dreamscape Learn is a collaborative venture between Dreamscape Immersive and Arizona State University, merging the most advanced pedagogy with the entertainment industry's best emotional storytelling. Dreamscape Learn redefines how we teach and learn in the 21st century, while aiming to eliminate student learning gaps. Learn more at DreamscapeLearn.com.
Montclair State University
Andrew Mees, meesa@montclair.eduShare this Story
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