East Renfrewshire Council has become the first local authority in the UK to invest in a class set of virtual reality headsets for every school in the area. More than 900 ClassVR headsets, a virtual and augmented reality set designed specifically for schools, are being rolled out across the authority and will offer pupils an enhanced learning experience in all areas of the curriculum.
The £250,000 investment will ensure virtual reality and 3D learning becomes an embedded part of teaching for all pupils at the council’s 30 primary and secondary schools.
Designed by educational technology company Avantis, the VR headsets will provide pupils with hundreds of different virtual and augmented reality activities, with full and comprehensive training being provided to school staff by training partners Tablet Academy.
East Renfrewshire Council has become the first local authority in the UK to invest in a class set of virtual reality headsets for every school in the area.
The £250,000 investment will ensure virtual reality and 3D learning becomes an embedded part of teaching for all pupils at the Council’s 30 primary and secondary schools.
More than 900 ClassVR headsets, a virtual and augmented reality set designed specifically for schools, are being rolled out across the authority and will offer pupils an enhanced learning experience in all areas of the curriculum.
FutureScot is delighted to announce a full-day conference on learning through digital technology and how it can be harnessed by educators to equip themselves and children with the tools to succeed. EduTech 2018 features a stellar cast of speakers.
Councillor Paul O’Kane, Convener for Education and Equalities at East Renfrewshire Council, said: “We are committed to providing the best learning experiences possible for all our pupils.
“By investing in this kind of immersive technology it will provide our children with experiences and sensations that they may never experience in reality and brings learning to life in a way that ignites their imagination.
“As the first local authority in the UK to make this commitment to virtual reality, there is no doubt that East Renfrewshire will continue to be at the very forefront of digital learning in the country. Combined with traditional teaching methods these virtual reality headsets will enhance our pupils’ learning experiences and push them to new heights.
“We have already seen from our successful pilot project that pupils using the headsets had a significant increase in engagement and knowledge retention, so I’m looking forward to seeing the benefits of this investment across the whole area.”
Nik Tuson, chief executive of Avantis Education, added: “We are delighted to be a part of this ground-breaking roll-out by East Renfrewshire.
“We have seen incredible results in the classroom from the introduction of virtual and augmented reality during lessons, and the positive impact it has on student engagement. We’re excited to see the outcomes of this project and are working closely with the authority to ensure a smooth and successful deployment.”
Since its launch at the education technology show Bett last year, ClassVR has been the subject of global interest as the first virtual reality system designed specifically for education.
With distribution secured in more than 20 countries, including the US, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and Asia, ClassVR has achieved over 200 site-wide implementations across the education spectrum, from nurseries and primary schools, to universities and corporate training organisations.
Related posts
Interviews
Comment
Please mind the gap… or healthcare may fall
Imagine sharing a lengthy train journey with others. From beginning to end, imagine how often you might hear ‘mind the gap’ messages about embarking and disembarking safely. Picture how navigating…
Women Lead: My journey from Dragons’ Den to Silicon Valley
Following her appearance on Dragons’ Den, Sheila Hogan, serial entrepreneur, founder and chief executive of digital legacy vault, Biscuit Tin, shares her experience of her time in the Den and…
Look anywhere – the future is ‘aged tech’. But Scotland needs to be more adventurous
Scottish Care, as the representative body of independent social care providers of care home, care at home and housing support services, has been working over several years with colleagues in…
Women Lead: Engineer turned entrepreneur
We are always fascinated by other people’s stories. It’s how we connect, grow and learn from each other. Until very recently I always felt like I didn’t have a story to tell. Who…
‘Women – together we will change the dynamic in tech’
I was inspired to start a career in technology when personal computers were in their infancy and the internet decades away. My childhood dream of becoming a scientist was shaped by…
It’s time to change the future of tech apprenticeships – and we need your help
In his latest exclusive column for Futurescot, Ross Tuffee, chair of the Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Digital Economy Skills Group, calls on tech employers to get involved in shaping the…
What AI difference a year makes
Amazingly, it’s been one year since the publication of Scotland’s AI Strategy. And what a year it has been. Demanding but rewarding, with good progress made and great foundations laid…
International Women’s Day: It’s time to harness power of women in technology
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I hope to be part of a future where barriers that prevent women from competing on a level playing field in the work environment…