Instruments
VR EER 2.0. | Stepping into the era of immersive EdX – one puzzle at a time
Teaming up with the Centre for Economic Transformation (HvA) to co-design VR Educational Escape Rooms
Now in the digital era, EdTech, and especially virtual reality (VR) is creating a new direction in education. VR has already been quite widely used as a means of training in sectors such as medicine and engineering, but there are significant opportunities for its use in education as well. VR Learning brings numerous advantages: it provides visual learning, safe space, and distance learning, increasing the scope and accessibility of education. The need for this kind of learning approach became stronger during the pandemic and it will only become increasingly relevant and urgent to build an appropriate hybrid and asynchronous learning process.
Engaging students in an online environment calls for new and innovative learning mechanisms. As we further develop a hybrid learning approach (some students are on-site, others online), we have to find ways to keep both engaged and connected.
Building on previous projects like Digital Twins and the Future of Practical Education and Digital Technology and Sustainable Educational Escape Rooms, we partnered with the Centre for Economic Transformation at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA) to develop an Educational Escape Room (EER) learning experience. Together we work to shape a dynamic learning environment where students are engaged both online and offline. We are implementing the experience (in co-creation with students) during the VR EER Honour’s Program in the Professorship of Entrepreneurship.
Immersive learning by doing – together
With EER, students can learn by doing as we are able to offer real challenges in virtual settings through computer engagement. Stella Dolce EER – currently implemented at the Professorship of Entrepreneurship – aims to teach students about entrepreneurship in a fun, gamified environment.
Together with students and the lecturers, we are co-designing VR EER using Mozilla Hubs based on Stella Dolce EER to work towards a fully-fledged VR experience in education. In this version, students with a VR headset will be able to interact with the educational material not from a screen, but rather in an immersive virtual environment. The final version will be used by the students in entrepreneurship at the HvA. This helps students learn about entrepreneurship in a more active learning environment.
With entrepreneurship learning heavily depending on experience,. gamification in EER plays a crucial role in creating an active learning environment. It helps make learning more engaging and memorable. Additionally, the simulated setting provides safe space for practice. The aim is to encourage students to feel comfortable with making mistakes – and learn from them. In the co-creation process of the VR EER, students are learning to use design thinking and storytelling by giving them credibility for the making of the educational material.
Sustainable growth
We don’t only deliver a product – we make it sustainable for the stakeholders. As a knowledge partner, we co-create the product and the tool, and make sure that our partners are able to make use their features to the maximum. For example, one of the reasons why we are working with Mozilla Hubs is to empower lecturers by enabling them to effectively update and test the content of the virtual environment. This makes it possible for the teachers to edit or add the content when necessary while not requiring previous developing skills. VR EER is a sustainable tool in education, where knowledge is not static. We want to build the future of education together with partners who can push knowledge forward for everybody.
☕ Let’s talk about it over coffee
Do you want to know more about how we enable organisations to achieve meaningful, positive social change through the right tools and knowledge? Want to hear more about VR EER?
Let’s grab a coffee – online, or in (socially-distanced) Amsterdam at one of the Digital Society School, or HvA offices. We are curious to hear what needs, challenges, and goals your organisation is working to address. Hit that button on the right column to reach out and we have a plan!
