Building a Curriculum with VR: A Step-by-Step Guide for Educators

Proximus Wolf07/20/23 

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” - Benjamin Franklin

As educators, our mission is to engage and inspire our students, fostering a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom walls. In this ever-evolving digital age, technology has become an invaluable ally in achieving this goal. One such revolutionary tool is Virtual Reality (VR), which offers a gateway to an immersive, interactive, and unforgettable learning experience. By integrating VR into our curriculum, we can unlock new dimensions of knowledge and captivate our students' minds like never before. In this article, we will embark on an enlightening journey on how to build a curriculum with VR and what you'll need to get started.

Step 1: Understanding the Research

"A 3-condition experiment with 286 middle school students, across 18 classrooms and 8 teachers, found that presenting teachers with real-time analytics about student learning, metacognition, and behavior had a positive impact on student learning, compared with both business-as-usual and classroom monitoring support without advanced analytics. This research illustrates the promise of AIED systems that integrate human and machine intelligence to support student learning." [1]

The above-cited study highlights the potential of AI-integrated systems to provide valuable insights to educators in real-time, enabling them to tailor their teaching approaches and support individual student needs effectively. VR and AI will merge as Avatars in the learning environments begin to appear and speak on specific subjects in the experience. We sit on the precipice of a new generation of education.

Virtual Reality is not trend; it's a transformational tool with the power to revolutionize learning. Before embarking on the journey of building a VR-infused curriculum, it is crucial to understand the barriers, steps, and potential of VR within an institutional setting.

1.1 Immersive Learning Experiences: VR can transport students to far-off places, historical events, or even microscopic realms, creating a sense of presence that enhances learning. Imagine standing amidst the Egyptian pyramids or exploring the Amazon rainforest without leaving the classroom – that's the magic of immersive learning.

1.2 Enhanced Concept Comprehension: Complex concepts can be challenging to grasp through traditional methods alone. With VR, students can visualize abstract ideas in 3D, facilitating deeper understanding and improving knowledge retention.

1.3 Safe and Controlled Simulations: VR provides a risk-free environment for students to practice skills and procedures, making it ideal for training in fields like medicine, engineering, and even public speaking.

Step 2: What You'll Need to Get Started

Building a curriculum with VR is an exciting endeavor, but it requires the right tools, guidance and resources. Let's explore what you'll need to kickstart this immersive learning journey.

2.1 Hardware:

  • VR Headsets (Spatial Computers): Choose from a range of headsets, from affordable options like Meta Quest 2 to more sophisticated devices like the VIVE XR Elite. Consider your budget and the level of immersion you seek for your students.
  • Wifi: Experiences can take place offline, but WiFi is required for social multiplayer learning and for updating particular apps.
  • VR-Ready Computers: If headsets are not available, or learners do not like wearing them, many experiences can be viewed on WebXR or PCVR. Both require more modern computers (purchased with last 3 years) with sufficient processing power and graphics capabilities. Ensure that your devices meet the necessary requirements.

2.2 VR Content and Software:

  • Curated VR Content: Discover a plethora of educational VR content available across various subjects. Explore our partner apps like VictoryXR, Bodyswaps and Futuclass for ready-made experiences, all available in the VEDX Classroom.
  • VR Creation Tools: Unleash your creativity by designing custom VR content tailored to your curriculum. Platforms like Engage, Facilitate and Blocksmith offer user-friendly interfaces for VR content creation.

2.3 Professional Development and Training:

  • Familiarization with VR: Get acquainted with the technology by attending workshops, webinars, or seeking guidance from colleagues who are already using VR in their classrooms.
  • Pedagogical Strategies: Understand how to effectively integrate VR into your teaching methods, ensuring it enhances rather than replaces traditional instruction.

Step 3: Integrating VR into the Curriculum

Now that you have the necessary tools and knowledge, it's time to integrate VR into your curriculum effectively.

3.1 Aligning with Learning Objectives: Identify specific learning objectives that VR can enhance or illustrate better than traditional methods. Ensure that the VR experiences align with your curriculum goals and add value to the learning process.

3.2 Variety in VR Content: Offer a diverse range of VR experiences to cater to different learning styles and interests. Whether it's exploring historical landmarks, conducting virtual science experiments, or venturing into outer space, variety enriches the learning journey.

3.3 Collaborative Learning: Encourage collaborative learning experiences by creating group projects or virtual field trips where students interact within the virtual environment. Foster teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills through VR collaboration.

3.4 Assessment and Feedback: Monitor students' progress and understanding through VR experiences. Utilize built-in analytics or follow-up discussions to gain insights into their learning outcomes and make informed adjustments.

Step 4: Ensuring Inclusivity and Safety

As educators, our paramount concern is the well-being and inclusivity of all students. While integrating VR, it's essential to consider safety and accessibility.

4.1 Health and Safety Guidelines: Ensure that students take breaks during extended VR sessions to prevent discomfort or motion sickness. Prioritize students' well-being above all else.

4.2 Accessibility: Consider students with special needs or physical disabilities when planning VR experiences. Ensure that the content and interactions are accessible to all learners.

Step 5: Embark on the Immersive Learning Journey

With VR as your ally, embark on an immersive learning journey that transcends boundaries and sparks boundless curiosity in your students. Embrace the power of technology to create a learning environment that leaves a lasting impact on their hearts and minds. As you witness the wonder and awe in your students' eyes, you'll know that you've harnessed the true potential of VR in education. So, let's take the leap together into the world of immersive learning with Virtual Reality!

Conclusion

By harnessing the power of VR in education, educators can take a significant leap toward building a curriculum that captivates students' minds and nurtures their thirst for knowledge. As VR becomes more accessible, affordable, and innovative, its potential to revolutionize education will only grow stronger. Let us embrace this transformative technology to create a dynamic, inclusive, and immersive learning environment for the leaders of tomorrow.

"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today." - Malcolm X

References:

  1. Holstein, Keegan, Bryan M. McLaren, and Vincent Aleven. "Student Learning Benefits of a Mixed-Reality Teacher Awareness Tool in AI-Enhanced Classrooms." Artificial Intelligence in Education. Springer, Cham, 2018. 125-136. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93843-1_12.
  2. Parong, J., & Mayer, R.E. (2018). Learning science in immersive virtual reality. Journal of Educational Psychology, 110(6), 785–797. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000241

  • As the Work Readiness Facilitator at JOB1, I must say the VR applications provided by VEDX have helped both myself and the participants tremendously.

    Courtney M. Moses, Work Readiness Facilitator,
    JOB1 New Orleans
  • “Here at Twain Education, we are a Brazil-based company and wanted to partner with VEDX to diversify how we help schools, it has been an amazing relationship for 3 years now, and look forward to many more.” 

    Joao Pedro Danhoni, Twain Education - Brazil
  • “At INTO university partnerships, we work with over 35 universities in the UK, US, and Australia. We wanted to connect the universities with potential students and VEDX has successfully helped us implement a VR Strategy in our University Access centers in Bogota, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City.”

    Leanna Tillman, INTO - San Diego HQ
  • “Here at VictoryXR, we produce some of the best educational content in the US, we were worried about implementing with headsets and support, but depending on VEDX has helped us do this in schools across the country” 

    Erica Everett, VictoryXR - USA

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