The University of Leeds has created a cutting-edge digital learning environment for students, employees, and the surrounding community.
HELIX provides cutting-edge and avant-garde digital learning resources, including immersive technology, maker and prototyping tools, and multimedia production facilities.
It is a designated area where members of the community can work together on entrepreneurial, creative, and innovative projects based on their own concepts and ideas.
Professor Simone Buitendijk, vice chancellor and president of the University of Leeds, and Bethan Corner, a member of the Leeds University Union’s education department, introduced HELIX.
“HELIX gives us the chance to connect Leeds students with our global community of learners and academics to collaborate and innovate together,” said Buitendijk.
“Digital and online education is an essential mode of learning in the current environment, and this exciting space will help us achieve our global education and research goals, as well as our enterprise and entrepreneurship goals, by providing an opportunity to nurture new forms of connectivity and innovation.”
“It is wonderful to see such a fantastic space now open at the university, which will enhance digital learning and allow students to use a variety of cutting-edge hands-on tools,” Corner continued.
HELIX will foster group innovation, and we can’t wait to see what the students come up with.
HELIX, which is housed on campus in the EC Stoner building, is divided into many zones that enable a wide range of digital activities, education, and collaboration.
The Extended Reality (XR) classroom has cutting-edge technology, including the only Omnideck in the UK.
The Omnideck’s rotating, three-dimensional floor allows for unrestricted movement during immersive learning events. A Meta Quest 2 immersive all-in-one headgear and high-end PCs are also present in the classroom.
A variety of 3D printers, a laser cutter, textile tools, resin printers, 3D scanners, and craft supplies are available in the makerspace section for experimentation, testing, and prototyping.
This includes LEGO Serious Play kits for the thriving Learning Support Practitioner group at the university.
Professional studio and editing facilities are available on-site at the Media Suite, which is manned by a group of experts in video production and creative work.
HELIX team members will support users with self-recording and podcasting so they can quickly learn the technology to produce their own media while enhancing institutional capabilities.
The facility provides a range of classrooms, co-lab shared workspaces, and an enterprise hub that enable a flexible working environment and opportunities to meet and interact with like-minded people to improve cooperation on campus and around the world.
“Opening the doors of HELIX is a significant step forward in supporting our ambitions in digital education, community networking, and collaborative events,” said Margaret Korosec, dean of online and digital education.
The cutting-edge venue will unite students, faculty, and the local community in a borderless setting created to foster curiosity and collaboration, two qualities that are urgently need in our society today.
