JB Hi-Fi Education is partnering with leading brands to educate schools on where virtual reality (VR) can take their students – from walking with dinosaurs to virtual job interviews, all without leaving the classroom.
VR is no longer just a futuristic concept seen only in science fiction movies; it has rapidly developed and is now used in many different areas and sectors of the domestic and global economy, including education. VR offers numerous advantages in providing educators with fun and interactive experiences aimed at increasing student engagement. It opens a world of possibilities with immersive career exploration, training solutions, and new learning pathways, providing schools and educators with extended educational opportunities.
Mr Sandy Young, JB Hi-Fi Education’s Commercial Product General Manager, said VR provides multiple applications in the classroom.
“From simulating medical procedures to running engineering projects and supporting student and teacher wellbeing – the use cases are wide and varied,” he said.
“Students can use VR to practice real world skills and training in a safe environment or create 3D prototypes in a risk-free environment.”
To support schools in integrating VR, JB Hi-Fi Education collaborates with Meta to provide Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S.
“With exceptional performance, comfort, and access to immersive educational content, these devices deliver a seamless experience that transforms learning,” Mr Young said.
“JB Hi-Fi Education is proud to be a Premier Meta Work Partner, this partnership helps us to offer resources and material for schools to enhance learning outcomes. As an example, we have Meta headsets available for demonstration for our education customers allowing them to explore the capabilities firsthand,” he said.
JB Hi-Fi Education also collaborates with key Independent Software Vendors (ISV), Mindflight7 and Liminal VR which create dedicated educational resources and develop immersive journeys, bringing the experience to life.
“Mindflight7’s mission is to bridge the gap between learners and XR technology to empower educators and students with tailored programs and ongoing support for seamless integration of virtual reality into education and training,” Mr Young said.
Liminal creates mixed and virtual reality experiences to help students manage stress, improve concentration, and foster a sense of relaxation, ultimately supporting their wellbeing in both academic and personal settings.
“Liminal VR blends evidence-based insights from neuroscience and psychology experts, and the gaming, music and film industries to empower individuals to enhance their feelings and performance through engaging VR experiences,” Mr Young said.
Journey outside the classroom
JB Hi-Fi Education recently organised an event dedicated to demonstrating the power of VR for education, which was held at Meta’s Sydney offices.
This event, ‘Journey outside the classroom’, brought together various educational leaders and department heads from schools across New South Wales.
The session introduced attendees to the benefits and practical application of integrating Virtual Reality into the curriculum, guiding them on implementation, app and device management, along with providing hands-on experience across numerous educational programs.
Mr Lance Gierhart, Director of Innovative Technologies at Wyong Christian Community School, attended the event.
“There’s a future in VR and there are a lot of opportunities that VR can afford students with immersion and creativity,” he said.
His colleague, Mr Alex Hellyer, English teacher and ICT Integrator added: “Originally where case studies were limited to a text book or YouTube video, they can now be immersive experiences”.
During the event, Meta gave a comprehensive presentation of their dedicated VR solution, showcasing real life examples and case studies. The team also introduced participants to Meta Horizon Managed Solutions for Education, a program designed to help IT teams efficiently deploy and manage users’ apps, and headsets, simplifying device administration.
Participants were enthusiastic about the numerous possibilities introduced by Meta.
“The Meta presentation gave the better overview of the possibilities of VR and how it can be run within a school,” Mr Hellyer said.
“I was unaware that a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution existed for Meta Quest headsets, which was an insightful takeaway,” Mr Gierhart added.
Mindflight7 and Liminal VR were also able to showcase the breadth of applications available for students.
Participants were invited to engage in hands-on product demonstrations and experience Mindflight7’s popular Ecovoyage and Space Explorer incursions. Ecovoyage explores environmental science and human impact on the planet, while Space Explorer takes participants on a journey through the solar system. Both incursions can be tailored for students ranging from Years 7 to 12.
Additionally, participants explored Liminal’s wellbeing experiences, which are designed to enhance emotional regulation, cognitive function, and overall mental wellness. These immersive journeys are categorized into six key areas: calm, energy, pain relief, awe, sleep, and focus.
“I found the Mindflight7 and Liminal VR demos particularly valuable,” Mr Gierhart said. His colleague Mr Hellyer added, “Liminal offered a use for VR in the pastoral care domain, which our school puts a large emphasis on, which was something unexpected.”
Mr Gierhart noted: “The event demonstrated that there is already a significant amount of VR content designed for education, and there are effective tools available to manage VR devices within a school environment.”
All attendees agreed the event provided valuable insights into new possibilities offered by VR, including unexpected applications and gave them a clearer understanding of how Virtual Reality could be integrated into their school’s curriculum.
Mr Hellyer said: “I believe VR has applications across various school subjects, providing students with immersive learning experiences. Additionally, I am particularly intrigued by the potential of VR to assist students in self-regulation when they are feeling dysregulated.”
He continued: “One of my key takeaways from the event is the opportunities that VR can offer; they aren’t as limited or gimmicky as I had originally assumed.”
JB Hi-Fi Education has been at the forefront of delivering innovative technology products to education institutions for over 20 years and is dedicated to supporting schools evolve in the digital world.
For more information on JB Hi-Fi Education’s VR solutions, contact 1300 746 752 or email education@jbhifi.com.au
