Digital literacy: Virtual Reality Sessions
An opportunity to share our Virtual Reality (VR) kit with local primary schools in the Teesside area, giving a greater range of children the chance to sample the technology, as well as sample new and exciting ‘expeditions’, some with the support of the Preparatory School Digital Leaders.
Aims
In the summer of 2019, a class set of VR headsets were purchased for cross-curricular use across the school. With the support of our Digital Leaders, we also took the headsets into local primary schools, sharing a whole range of Google Expeditions with children of all ages.
Background
In the summer of 2019, a class set of VR headsets were purchased for cross-curricular use across the school. Our Digital Leaders, a group of 50 pupils from Years 3-6, were trained to set them up and use them by the Prep School Deputy Head, Computing Coordinator and CEOP Ambassador.
This enabled the Digital Leaders to spread their expertise across the school and help encourage class teachers to use the resource. As an extension of this, local primary schools were asked if they would like to use the VR headsets and participate in a Google Expedition of their choice. At the time of writing, three classes from two different schools have used our VR equipment, either with the support of a teacher or our Digital Leaders.
Year 3 at Layfield Primary School were taken on a tour of the sites and sounds of Paris as part of a French Morning, led by our Year 6 Digital Leaders. The Year 1 class from Layfield also enjoyed an afternoon visiting the famous landmarks of London, led by three of our Y4 Digital Leaders. Year 2 at Hartburn Primary School had access to a whole day of VR expeditions looking at space, planets and the International Space Station, all of which enhanced their “Space” topic.
Resources
Yarm Preparatory School contributed one teacher to organise each session, which lasted for a morning or an afternoon. Once at the school, if they were present, our Digital Leaders led the organisation of the session, as well as the sharing of the various images on the expeditions. The VR equipment - used already in school in all curriculum areas - was also used.
Impact
“The VR headsets were fantastic and really helped bring London alive. It’s the closest many of our children will get to visiting London.” - Year 1 teacher, Layfield Primary School.
“The Digital Leaders were exceptional and supported our children with great thought. Visiting France brought the curriculum alive.” - French teacher, Layfield Primary School.
“The children loved it and got so much out of being able to explore space and the planets in such a fun and unique way.” - Computing Coordinator, Hartburn Primary School.
Pupil Involvement
3 Digital Leaders from Y3-6 were used by Yarm Preparatory School on each of the three visits. Classes of 30 benefitted from both Layfield Primary visits, while 120 children experienced the space expedition at Hartburn.
Frequency
These are very much run on an adhoc basis, with schools being offered an open invite to use the equipment with Mr Stone and some Digital Leaders present. We are expecting to visit more classes and schools throughout the year, with many showing an interest.