VR in Education

Episode 77 -Using the UN SDG’s for a VR Design Competition

Hello everyone.  Welcome to another exciting episode of VR in Education.  In today’s episode, we are focusing on a unique opportunity for students and educators to learn more about an exciting VR Design Competition. Exponential Destiny  was founded in the early 2000’s and the program's objective is to help young people “Future Proof” themselves and arm them to make “Exponential Change” in the way people think and act.  Recently, their group was invited to a UN meeting to introduce and launch their inaugural competition that challenges students to create a VR experience that raises awareness to one of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.  These goals have been great stepping stones for many educational projects around the world because they place an emphasis on improving humanity in 17 different areas.  Some of these include :  improving life on land, reducing poverty, and providing quality education.  We are so fortunate to talk with the founder Marcus Shingles and his co-founder Marco Vargas.  You can learn more about the design competition here, https://www.sdgmetaverseprize.org/. 

Episode 76- VR For Equity in The Bahamas

Hello everyone.  Welcome to another exciting episode of VR in Education.  In today’s episode, we are talking about scaling up VR in education.  As more and more schools think about incorporating VR into their programs, there are so many questions to ponder.  Today on the show we have Mr. Jason Beneby.  Jason is Chief Operating Officer at American High School and director of the Bahamas Virtual School.  He will be spearheading the rollout and adoption of metaverse education across the island.  Reach Jason on linkEdin at linkedin.com/in/jason-beneby-3775562 .

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.