As part of my ‘Teaching Computer Science in School’ module, me and my partner had the fantastic opportunity to plan and deliver a full-day Virtual Reality event for students at my placement school. Timed as a special treat before their half-term break, the day was designed to give many their very first taste of immersive technology.
This was inspired by how the school itself has been working towards developing a dedicated area for immersive learning, such as the space in the image. We had other ideas to hold competitions and such but we decided to be a little bit different!
The Goal: A Hands-On Introduction
The main objective was to demystify VR and spark curiosity. We wanted to create a fun, interactive environment where students could not only try VR for themselves but also engage with us and ask questions about the technology, its uses, and how it works.
Planning and Execution
To ensure the event was a success, we undertook several key responsibilities:
- Logistical Coordination: We collaborated with the University’s Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (CTL) to prepare, check, and safely transport the VR headsets to the school.
- Curating Experiences: We selected a range of accessible and engaging VR experiences suitable for first-time users, offering them a broad sample of what’s possible.
- Running the Stations: We set up and managed multiple VR stations, using our knowledge to guide the students, ensure their safety, and keep the event flowing smoothly throughout the day.
- Interactive Q&A: We facilitated an open forum where students could ask us anything, leading to some incredibly insightful and interesting conversations.
Impact and Legacy
The event was a huge success and received fantastic feedback from both students and staff. I was especially proud to learn that our project had a lasting impact; the next cohort of students on the module reached out for advice and were inspired to run their own VR session at their placement, continuing the initiative we started.