VR in Education

Episode 75- VR Teacher Training with Rob Theriault

Hello everyone.  Welcome to another exciting episode of VR in Education.  In today’s episode, we are talking about VR teacher training. There has been a slow growth of VR in learning institutions.  However, many vanguards are paving the way for easy adoption.  One of those is Rob Theriault.  Rob is Immersive Technology Manager (former professor of paramedicine) at Georgian College in Ontario (Canada).  He is also President of the Canadian Chapter of the Immersive Learning Research Network, an author, and an outstanding researcher.  Rob is a pioneer in the VR industry.  He is here today to talk about training other teachers on the effective uses of VR in Education.  If you are interested in learning more from Rob you can reach him at rob.theriault@georgiancollege.ca.  

Episode 74 - How Context Plays an important Role in Immersive Learning

Hello everyone.  Welcome to another exciting episode of VR in Education.  In today’s episode, we are talking about the context for learning engagements.  It is possible to design 3-D virtual worlds for almost any place or space.  Andrew Wright is the Director and creator of the EDUmetaverse.  However, according to his company website, "The EDUmetaverse is so much more than just a series of empty spaces. This is a customisable  gateway towards Education 3.0. Learn anything, anywhere from anyone.  To find out more about what Andrew is doing check out https://www.edumetaverse.com.au/. 

Episode 73- Creation, Creativity and VR Painting

Hello everyone.  Welcome to another exciting episode of VR in Education.  In today’s episode, we are talking about using VR for creation and creativity through painting.  When done right, painting can be such a wonderful learning activity and outlet to promote experimentation, ideation, and risk-taking.  Painting can also be a wonderful way to unwind and destress.  Today on the show we are fortunate to have the creator and developer of Vermillion,  a highly realistic and immersive VR painting app.  Thomas van den Berge is a talented indie developer who has worked for several EU companies designing VR experiences in Unity and unreal engine.  He has most recently taken the risk of building his own VR app, which we will talk more about today.

Episode 72- Asymmetrical Games in Education with Ilann Sayag

Hello everyone.  Welcome to another exciting episode of VR in Education.  In today’s episode, we are talking about cooperative Learning and asymmetrical VR gaming.  We often see VR as a solitary experience because the user dons an HMD (head-mounted display) and leaves the real world behind them.  Yet, there is a growing number of VR applications that rely on single VR participants to work with a group of people inside or outside the HMD forming a team.  On today’s episode we are fortunate to have Ilann Sayag CEO of Freaks United the company who recently developed a new and exciting asymmetrical VR game called Do U Copy?  You can learn more about Ilann and his company at https://fugamestudio.com/

Episode 71- My Top 5 Episodes

Hello everyone.  Welcome to another exciting episode of VR in Education.  Today we take a trip back down memory lane.  It has been an amazing three years of podcasting and listenership is growing tremendously.  For that I thank you.  In today’s episode , I look back and reflect on what has been most popular so far.  So sit back, relax as I talk about and provide highlights from MY TOP 5 MOST DOWNLOADED EPISODES. 

Episode 70- 3-D Learning Spaces Made Easy with imedu

Hello everyone.  Welcome to another exciting episode of VR in Education.  In today’s episode, we focus on 3-d learning spaces.  As many educators start to contemplate the effectiveness of using virtual learning spaces thanks to a sensationalization of the word, “metaverse", in the past few weeks, I wanted to do a deeper dive into looking at the efficacy of virtual world creation and how these learning spaces might be used for teaching and learning.  So, today on the show we have Vincent van den Tol, founder and CEO of imedu.  With imedu everybody can organize inspiring, interactive and accessible online education, using 3D virtual spaces and avatars.  To learn more about imedu check out their website at https://imedu.io/.

Episode 69- Beyond Applications to VR Learning Portals

Hello everyone.  Welcome to another exciting episode of VR in Education.  In today’s episode, we focus on the whole learning package.  There are a growing number of single-use VR applications being developed as part of a growing library of immersive educational content.  The problem with these applications is they need a home.  Currently,  there are only a small number of dedicated platforms where other educators can allow their learners to sign in and access a number of engaging VR applications  We are fortunate to have Kristen Tamm, CEO of Futuclass and Mart Lume, head of Product for Futuclass, on the show to give us more perspective and insight into their exciting VR learning hub.  YOu can learn more about Futuclass hub at https://www.futuclass.com/. 

Episode 68- Immersive Learning Made Easy with Facilitate

Hello everyone.  Welcome to another exciting episode of VR in Education.  In today’s episode we focus on the deployment and creation of immersive education content.  We have learnt many lessons from the ongoing pandemic, especially in the field of education and learning.    One big takeaway is that upskilling students and employees in Zoom or other video conferencing platforms may not garner the level of engagement needed to master learning outcomes.  We are fortunate to have Ben Bauert, CEO of Facilitate, and Philipp Seiler, chief experience officer, on our show today to talk more about how VR and 3-D spatial mediums might enhance our institutional learning goals and to discuss the wonderful work they've been doing with their company Facilitate.  You can learn more about their company at https://www.facilitate.tech/.  Were you will find more contact information.  

Episode 67- VR Leadership, Strategic Thinking and Moonshots in Education

Hello everyone.  Welcome to another exciting episode of VR in Education.  In today’s episode we focus on looking at "Moonshots" and what it takes to provide vision, direction and strategic leadership to purposefully deploy VR in education.  We are fortunate to have Freedom Cheteni on the show today.  He has been instrumental in the last few years in helping organizations move forward of VR deployment.  For example, in 2018 he spearheaded Moonshots in Education VR which offered immersive classes for high school students taught inside the VR platform Engage.  Beyond that,  Freedom has been part of many consultancy groups that have championed XR innovations especially for marginalized groups.  You can check out https://inventxr.com/ 

You can get ahold of Freedom through email at freedom@inventxr.com.  

Episode 66- VR Health and Wellness with Bradley Chesham

Hello everyone.  Welcome to another exciting episode of VR in Education.  In today’s episode, we focus on health education.  Whether you are a doctor, nurse or simply an employee working around people or children we are all accountable for the health and well-being of the people around us.  Most organizations, including schools, train individuals to have a certain level of first aid.  We are fortunate to have Bradley Chesham on our show today to talk more about how VR might enhance our understanding of first aid and to discuss the wonderful work he has been doing with his company Bundle of Rays.