VR Workshops
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
To provide children with classes (and teachers) with exciting experiences ahead of commencing a new topic, providing inspiration and enthusiasm for the new topic.
To provide our Digital Leaders with an opportunity to work with other schools in delivering technical support.
Background
Our Digital Leaders, a group of 18 pupils from Years 4-6, were trained to set up our Virtual Reality equipment and deliver a teaching session to another group of children. The Digital Leaders were trained 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 an expedition of their choice. For example, Kirklevington Primary were about to begin a topic on Ancient Egypt, so a group of five Digital Leaders and Mr Stone delivered sessions to two classes about Egypt, using an expedition that forms part of a VR app.
Resources
We provided the teacher and a group of 4-7 Digital Leaders to lead the session and provide technological support, with the local primaries providing in-class support with a class teacher and TA. The workshops took place at each local school, catering for one class at a time over the course of a morning (30 minutes per class; up to three classes per visit). We also provided the VR equipment to use and shared the expeditions with the teachers prior to the visit, so they could be used as an effective stimulus for subsequent work. Time commitment from staff was a total of two hours per session (seven sessions in total).
Impact
Provision of a stimulus for a new topic, giving children an immediate (and exciting) step into their work.
Sharing of resources previously not used or available at any local school. “It allowed them to 'visit' the rainforest - it was the first time my children had experienced VR tech.” - Teacher, Linthorpe Primary School.
Increased motivation levels among the children taking part. “The children were able to consolidate their learning surrounding the Romans and were able to visually see the size of the colosseum etc.” - Teacher, Kirklevington Primary School.
“The VR exhibitions increased the children's awareness of the Rainforest and Ocean that they may never experience. This has had a positive impact on the children's writing.” - Teacher, The Glebe Primary School.
Knowledge and expertise shared by our teachers with local primary school teachers, who were appreciative of the support received.
Our Digital Leaders were provided with an opportunity to support children and represent the school at another school. “Your digital leaders were impressive! They were knowledgeable and kind.” - Teacher, Linthorpe Primary School.
“The Digital Leaders were really nice to have in the classroom and were kind to the children. It was nice to see them leading a session as this inspired my Y4 children to want to do the same!” Teacher - Egglescliffe CE Primary School.
Pupil Involvement
Fifteen classes from seven primary schools (average of 25 per class) took part in the sessions. Ages ranged from Reception to Year 6. Total of 375 across all schools.
Frequency
Weekly during the Spring and Summer terms.