{"id":859,"date":"2024-01-15T16:39:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-15T16:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cogitateandpercolate.com\/?p=859"},"modified":"2026-06-29T14:05:29","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T14:05:29","slug":"happy-twelvetide-12-of-my-most-favorite-xr-for-education-examples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cogitateandpercolate.com\/?p=859","title":{"rendered":"Happy Twelvetide! 12 of My Most Favorite XR for Education Examples"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n


<\/p>\n

Happy Twelvetide or the name you might recognize, The 12 Days of Christmas! <\/span>
<\/span>For
\n you, I’ve arranged 12 of my most favorite XR-for-education examples.
\nThese are virtual sites, simulations, companies, or concepts. <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>But what’s a good story without some twists?
<\/span>– Some of these no longer exist. Let that twist your noodle. \ud83d\ude15 <\/span>
<\/span>– Some are concepts.
<\/span>– These were originally posted to LinkedIn as separate posts. This blog posts represents all 12 in one place (so buckle up, this will be long).<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Day 1 Heritage Key<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

Happy Twelvetide! Number 1 on my 12 favorite
\nXR-for-education list is Heritage Key by Rezzable. It was in Second Life
\n and then Open Sim ~2008-2010, but no longer exists. Visitors could
\nvisit recreations of Stonehenge or the Valley of the Kings.
<\/span>
<\/span>My fav parts?
<\/span>–
\n Users **participated** in the building of Stonehenge. (THINK: NPCs
\ngiving instructions to quests in games.) Did you know that there were
\ndifferent versions of Stonehenge over thousands of years, including a
\nwooden one? <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>–
\n Time travel – The Stonehenge location (if I’m remembering it correctly)
\n had “time travel” for visitors to go to Stonehenge in different times
\nby directing users BACK to an underground Visitors Center where
\n(unbeknownst to the visitors) the overhead scene would change and go
\nforward ~500 years or something. Nice time travel technique!
<\/span>
<\/span>–
\n Avatar clothing. Each location offered avatars garb to wear appropriate
\n to the builds (all of them, at once). I remember the choices where:
\nDruid-theme, Thebes-theme, or Indiana Jones-theme. All a super fun way
\nfor users to keep playing along with “we are participating with” these
\nlocations. THINK: DRESS FOR THE JOB YOU WANT.
<\/span>
<\/span>Will
\n someone resurrect this concept fully, please? It was so cool despite
\nbeing from more than 10 years ago. And it outperforms a lot of XR for
\neducation even today.<\/p>\n

YouTube video from Heritage Key: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=_SqTwaa0HVg<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

IMAGE 1: Capture from Heritage Key of a clearing in a woods scene of a male avatar<\/span>
\n carrying a log to assist in the building of Stonehenge. A further
\nfemale Indiana-Jone type character (that was me) is seen just behind.
\nCirca 2010.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n


<\/span>
<\/span>IMAGE 2: Capture from
\nHeritage Key tour that I believe Virtual Worlds Education Roundtable
\ntook back in 2010. Image shows a scene in Thebes between palaces and
\ntemples. Avatars are dressed in Egyptian, Druid, or Indiana Jones-like
\napparel.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

#VR<\/b> #XR<\/b> #vreducation<\/b> #SecondLife<\/b> #OpenSim<\/b> #HeritageKey<\/b> #Avatar<\/b> #Stonghenge<\/b> #ValleyOfTheKings<\/b> #Participation<\/b> #Best<\/b> #Favorite<\/b> #InstructionalDesign<\/b> #Design<\/b> #edtech<\/b><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Day 2 NASA goes to Mars<\/span>
<\/h2>\n

<\/span><\/h2>\n



<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

Happy Twelvetide! Number 2 on my 12 favorite XR-for-education list is NASA goes to Mars!
<\/span>
<\/span>My fav parts?
<\/span>– Users had first person experiences walking around a Martian base in 2008. <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>–
\n This kind of build checks every one of my ‘saves time, money, danger’
\nboxes and as such, represents a great investment in XR. Experiences like
\n this should be replicated.
<\/span>
<\/span>Yes, this
\nis another defunct XR location, however there are still space clubs in
\nSecond Life and other platforms have picked up the gauntlet to recreate
\nMars, the Moon, and beyond.
<\/span>
<\/span>Is NASA
\ndone with virtual reality? Far from it. She’s just grown with the times.
\n One of my favorite XR-for-education things that NASA has done recently
\nis the First Woman graphic novel (comic book) demonstrating the
\ndiversity of thought that it will take to get successfully back to the
\nmoon. It’s XR-enabled and I’m happy to report that RT (the waving robot)
\n has visited my living room.<\/p>\n


<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/span>

<\/span><\/span>IMAGE 1: Capture from NASA CoLab recreation of
\nthe Victoria Crater on Mars. Capture credit: Eric Hackathorn, NOAA,
\nFebruary 22 2008. Source: <\/span>https:\/\/lnkd.in\/gWFu7aKn<\/a> <\/span>Image is in the public domain.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n


<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span>IMAGE
\n 2: Capture from NASA website about First Woman. Comic book style scene
\nfrom the angle of moon boots shows a nearby moon rover with a robot
\nwaving in the back seat.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n


<\/span>
<\/span>IMAGE 3: Capture of cover of the First Woman, NASA’s Promise To Humanity, Issue Number 1 Dream to Reality graphic novel.
<\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n

#XR<\/b> #VR<\/b> #NASA<\/b> #CommanderCallie<\/b> #RT<\/b> #VictoriaCrater<\/b> #SecondLife<\/b> #CoLab<\/b> #SpaceEducation<\/b> #edtech<\/b> #InstructionalDesign<\/b><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Day 3 Dinosaur Track Lab<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n


<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Happy Day 3 of the 12 Days of Christmas! Today’s favorite XR-for-education example is for the curious <\/span>#<\/span>InstructionalDesigners<\/span><\/span> <\/span>out there, wondering \u201chow do you design instruction in <\/span>#<\/span>VirtualReality<\/span><\/span>?\u201d <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>I
\n suggest this example from the Grand Cache Tourism and Interpretive
\nCentre, that I saw demonstrated by Mike McCready of Lethbridge College,
\nAlberta. This is the  best example of instructions given in a VR
\nexperience that I\u2019ve seen! <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>I
\n should disclose my judging bias\u2013 I have taken many science labs in my
\ntime and a good set of lab instructions is a good set of instructions.
\nFull stop. So these are good instructions. Direct, to the point, and
\nhelpful for completing the task at hand. Not too much detail in the
\nobjects presented to the learners and completing the lab *should* be
\nwithin the physical capabilities of VR controllers (grabbing, placing,
\nbrushing, etc). Modification of target sizes could be done for <\/span>#<\/span>Accessibility<\/span><\/span>.
\n I’m guessing that the VR artist and developer, Benjamin Blackwell,
\ntransposed real life lab instructions. I could be wrong, maybe someone
\nwrote these instructions for the VR experience. But hey, either way, it
\nworks! <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>The
\n backstory of this VR experience isn\u2019t bad either as it DOES tick
\nHeather\u2019s boxes of saving time, money, and danger. The real world
\ndinosaur footprints are up on a sheer rock face at an angle in a
\npreservation area. Getting there takes time, doing a dinosaur imprint
\nIRL costs money (for supplies), and the location itself is dangerous to
\nlearners (and to environmental & historical damage). (Source: <\/span>https:\/\/lnkd.in\/gcWjFBXb<\/a>)
<\/span>
<\/span>There\u2019s
\n a chance I would suggest adding an element that increases the stress
\nlevel for learners (what??) but that\u2019s just to add a narrative to the
\nexperience. I would throw in an approaching thunderstorm that the
\nlearners have to boogie and get out of the site ASAP.  But hey, I like
\nnarratives with my educational XR.
<\/span>
<\/span>I do not endorse any Lethbridge College program.
<\/span>
<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n


<\/span>
<\/span>IMAGE: Capture showing entry instructions for VR controllers.<\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n


<\/span>
<\/span>IMAGE
\n 3: Capture of prep table for taking a plaster cast of a dinosaur
\nimprint. Equipment on the table includes a bag to carry the supplies up
\nto the footprint location.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n


<\/span>
<\/span>IMAGE 4:
\nCapture showing that learners have to use a spray (I think it was an
\nadhesive) to position the frame in place to hold the plaster.<\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>IMAGE 5: Capture of the user grabbing the wooden frame to place over the footprint.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n


<\/span>
<\/span>IMAGE 6: Capture from a Lethbridge College site showing the angled sheer rock face with the dinosaur footprints. <\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n

#InstructionalDesign<\/b> #VR<\/b> #XR<\/b> #InstructionsMatter<\/b> #ScienceLaboratory<\/b> #Dinosaur<\/b> #PlasterCast<\/b> #VirtualInstruction<\/b> #edtech<\/b><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Day 4 VR for Distraction\/Pain Management<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Happy Day 4 of Twelvetide, where I\u2019m sharing 12
\nof my XR-for-education favorites! Today’s example is a concept– XR for
\ndistraction\/pain management.
<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n


<\/span>I’ll admit
\n that this example is tangentially associated with education. But two of
\n the three examples I’m sharing are targeted for children. So in a way,
\nVR is part of helping the children learn to live healthier lives!
<\/span>
<\/span>1.
\n VR Vaccines – using VR to distract children during vaccine
\nadministration. Combine this with the “Buzzy” concept and I think the
\nentire fear of needles (for anyone) could be eliminated! <\/span>https:\/\/lnkd.in\/gQsn39W9<\/a> <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>2.
\n VR in a MRI – LOVE this but it’s still experimental. My favorite part
\nof this design is that the clicks and whir sounds are incorporated INTO
\nthe VR experience. (Learning what the “sounds” mean is part of fear of
\nflying courses so I think this could be incorporated into future virtual
\n reality fear of flying experiences too.) <\/span>https:\/\/lnkd.in\/gZ6xnPEz<\/a>
<\/span>
<\/span>3.
\n VR for pain management. There are several companies working on this and
\n kudos to ALL OF THEM! But I’ll shine a light on my friend <\/span><\/span><\/a>Heather Bucalos, RN<\/a><\/span> <\/span>and her advocacy of using it for hospital patients (https:\/\/lnkd.in\/g8s7q4_y<\/a> <\/span>). It looks like <\/span><\/span><\/a>Beth Savoldelli<\/a><\/span> <\/span>has a new initiative coming up in 2024, the XR Impact Network. Best wishes to all!
<\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/a><\/div>\n


<\/span>
<\/span>IMAGE
\n2: Capture from inside VR Vaccines where the user is about to have a
\nspecial stone placed on their arm at the same timing as a vaccination.
\nThe user is presented with a story about how the stone \u201cprotects\u201d them.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
<\/a><\/div>\n


<\/span>IMAGE
\n 3: VR use during an MRI. Experimental but includes the typical sounds
\nof an MRI and particularly helpful for children to stay still and calm
\nduring the procedure.<\/p>\n

#<\/span>InstructionalDesign<\/span><\/span> <\/span>#<\/span>VR<\/span><\/span> <\/span>#<\/span>XR<\/span><\/span> <\/span>#<\/span>PainManagement<\/span><\/span> <\/span>#<\/span>Distraction<\/span><\/span> <\/span>#<\/span>Pediatric<\/span><\/span> <\/span>#<\/span>CancerTreatment<\/span><\/span> <\/span>#<\/span>edtech<\/span><\/span> #XRImpactNetwork<\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/div>\n

 <\/div>\n
Day 5 National Geographic Explore VR<\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
\n
\"Clip<\/a><\/div>\n

 <\/div>\n

 <\/div>\n
For Day 5 of Twelvetide, where I\u2019m sharing 12 of
\n my XR-for-education favorites, I list National Geographic Explore VR,
\nwhose name, perhaps in a clever move, puts the \u201cVR\u201d in the right
\nplace\u2026last.  It just HAPPENS to occur inside the media of VR, but the
\nstar of the show IS the Nat Geo content.
<\/span>
<\/span>My favs of this?
<\/span>
<\/span>This puts the explore in Explore VR. Basically if you want to use VR to go places, this is your golden ticket. <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>Plus,
\n there is an impressive story line (I\u2019m referring ONLY to the Antarctica
\n experience here): going from a ship, via kayak, to an ice shelf,
\nclimbing it, and then waiting out an Antarctic storm in a camp. 
\n(Playthrough video here: <\/span>https:\/\/lnkd.in\/ggMtNxy8<\/a> <\/span>) <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>When I taught an Introduction to XR (Design) course using the Quest 2s (https:\/\/lnkd.in\/gYi9RWCU<\/a>),
\n I placed Nat Geo as the very first experience in the course after the
\nOculus First Steps primer. I also framed it within the design element of
\n Function. That is, does the experience take advantage of VR
\naffordances? If not, could it be done some other way just as well?  In
\nthe case of exploring, there is a long history of high quality National
\nGeographic TV shows. Could doing something in VR measure up?
<\/span>
<\/span>In
\n this case, the learner has to paddle their kayak, choose and take their
\n own photos (they are on a mission from Nat Geo, of course, to get
\nphotographs), and climb an ice shelf. Either way, it\u2019s arm work!
<\/span>
<\/span>So
\n the user is not simply a viewer as would be for a TV show. There are a
\nfew folks right here that would like to pipe up and state that the
\nmovement *causes* learning or as I saw it phrased the other day:
<\/span>
<\/span>\u201cIt
\n feels more like an earned learned experience than something you
\npassively learned about or were informed about,\u201d Bill Briggs, Deloitte
\nCTO, told VentureBeat. \u201cThe retention and recall is just higher. Your
\nbrain is storing it in a different place.\u201d
<\/span>
<\/span>That\u2019s a bunch of horse hockey. <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>Your
\n brain is storing it in a different place? Oh, like that prepper
\npantry?  Experiences ARE experiences. Full stop. The brain encodes them
\nexactly the same, whether they are in VR or IRL. What this person was
\ndoing was a backhand slap at traditional instruction (code word:
\npassive), which (according to them) has been dreadful for ages.  On
\nbehalf of all teachers\u2026thanks? (not really, grr)
<\/span>
<\/span>But
\n I digress. Back to enjoying Nat Geo because they did a good job. It\u2019s a
\n good starter experience if you can afford it for your learners. It\u2019s
\nlisted at US$9.99 in the Meta Quest store.
<\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/div>\n


<\/span>
<\/span>IMAGE: Capture from inside of Explore VR looking down to see some whales in a small bay dotted with icebergs.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

\n
<\/a><\/div>\n


<\/span>
<\/span>IMAGE: Capture from the Meta Quest store of the purchase page from National Geographic Explore VR. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
#<\/span>InstructionalDesign<\/span><\/span> <\/span>#<\/span>VR<\/span><\/span> <\/span>#<\/span>XR<\/span><\/span> <\/span>#<\/span>NationalGeographic<\/span><\/span> <\/span>#<\/span>Explore <\/span><\/span>#<\/span>Antarctica<\/span><\/span> <\/span>#<\/span>Kayak<\/span><\/span> <\/span>#<\/span>Penguin<\/span><\/span> <\/span>#<\/span>Whale<\/span><\/span> <\/span>#<\/span>IceClimb<\/span><\/span> <\/span>#<\/span>Photography<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\n

Day 6 VR for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence<\/span><\/span><\/span>
<\/h2>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

\n

Trigger warning: today\u2019s entry refers to sexual violence.<\/p>\n

I went to an entrepreneurial conference last year to speak on the topic of the metaverse. I know my ad hoc speaking style (which I enjoy but I lose my train of thought), so in advance I scribbled up a list of truly GREAT applications of virtual reality so that I could glance at it.  Today\u2019s entry made that list.  <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A VR for conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) pilot study includes everything from seeing a courtroom in advance, seeing visual assurances of identity protection, reenactments, and post trauma healing and comfort. I see it is still in the experimental stage but the results are about to come in. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

https:\/\/lnkd.in\/gG7knz4y<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In September 2019, I was sexually attacked. I had to describe the event to the State Police three times. A friend rushed to me, took one look at me, and said that I was in shock. The shock goes on for a long time. I can only imagine what circumstances are like when sexual attacks occur as part of conflict or war.  Therefore, I wish this pilot Godspeed.  <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Good on yer to the sponsors: The Royal College of Art, Immersonal, Frontier Tech Hub, UK International Development, and the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

#VR<\/b> #XR<\/b> #BestUseCase<\/b> #CRSV<\/b> #SexualViolence<\/b> #Crime<\/b> #VictimProtections<\/b> #RoyalCollegeOfArt<\/b> #TechHub<\/b> #UK<\/b> #InternationalCriminalCourt<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Day 7 Tsunami Simulation from NOAA
<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\n
<\/a><\/div>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

Day 7 from my 12 Days of Christmas favorite VR-for-education examples is a multi-step process. We have to time travel back. I\u2019m going to stop our time machine at 14 years ago, the year 2010. NOAA had built their 2nd iteration of a tsunami simulation on their Second Life island, Meteora, that my old friend and colleague AJ Kelton captured in video here: https:\/\/lnkd.in\/dCNDXnAH<\/a>. (To see an even OLDER version of the same simulation, see video here https:\/\/lnkd.in\/d2csDTyA<\/a>) On the timeline, 2004 the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami was just 6 years prior when an estimated 227,000 people died (https:\/\/lnkd.in\/du6sTWGt<\/a>)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

OK, Heather, this looks chunky and old. What\u2019s the deal? <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The point is that NOAA only built 5 experiences in VR\u2013 and a tsunami remained one of them (https:\/\/lnkd.in\/dGD62bv6<\/a>). I’m going to go out on a limb and state that NOAA thought it was *important* that humanity learn what tsunamis are and why you just can\u2019t \u201coutrun them\u201d. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Why was XR a good choice for this particular natural hazard? <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Because in XR, the viewer can stand still and let the tsunami wash over them and get a hint at it\u2019s height, power, and devastation. (Hat tip to the movie, The Impossible for their depiction here https:\/\/lnkd.in\/dSx-PHnv<\/a>). READ: Avatar height actually means something here.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Time machine forward to 2011, March 11 and the Great East Japan Earthquake. (https:\/\/lnkd.in\/djjVKSsP<\/a> ) For the first time, humanity would see in real terms the devastation of a tsunami.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Fast forward one more time to 2016 and simulations advanced to this stage (see video clip below). By now, humanity had begun to take tsunamis MUCH more seriously with early warning buoys, escape routes, and *hopefully* people evacuating the coast when it could happen.  <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Do you see the connection between SEEING what a tsunami could do and future safety? Humans have a habit of clinging to \u201cseeing is believing.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is areas like this that hit my 3-item (time, money, danger) checklist hard and for the good: XR for reducing danger.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In a sad twist, I\u2019m late getting this posted on January 3 and another earthquake and tsunami occurred in Japan on the day I should have posted this, January 1, 2024. Thankfully, it appears that warnings went up fast and folks did evacuate. (Edit: I’ve now heard that at least 200+ people have died.)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In summary, we can\u2019t look at this Day 7 example outside of its historical context. More emphasis on the real dangers of tsunamis can save lives.<\/p>\n

<\/object><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

#VR<\/b> #XR<\/b> #InstructionalDesign<\/b> #Tsunami<\/b> #Earthquake<\/b> #Preparedness<\/b> #NaturalDisaster<\/b> #Awareness<\/b> #EscapeRoute<\/b> #Practice<\/b> <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Day 8 Apart Gallery<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

Day 8 of my Twelvetide favorite examples of XR-for-education is a true favorite. If you\u2019ve never been in the metaverse, I\u2019ll take you here first: the Apart Gallery.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Surf to https:\/\/apartposters.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n

2. Click on Virtual Gallery.<\/p>\n

3. Click on Join Room.<\/p>\n

4. Click Accept to agree to your avatar. (Yup, you can change it here if you want or you can change it later, either way. Because metaverse!)<\/p>\n

5. Turning on mics is optional so you can skip that if you want. Click on Enter Room.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

See? 5 Clicks.  And if you\u2019ve been in before, it\u2019s actually 4 clicks b\/c  your browser will remember you.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

This is WebXR, the spatial web, or the immersive web. Names are not yet nailed down because it\u2019s still relatively new.  You entered the metaverse with your browser. That doesn\u2019t sound like much, but to gamers, it\u2019s a big deal. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Gamers are used to:<\/p>\n

– Large downloads<\/p>\n

– Required log-ins<\/p>\n

– Running extra programs for sound or dialog.<\/p>\n

– Turning off other programs to preserve memory and increase speed.<\/p>\n

– All kinds of special doohickeys.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In this example, hosted by Mozilla Hubs<\/a>, you don\u2019t need to do any of that. You are free as a bird!  (Movement is with your W,A,S,D keys and your mouse).<\/p>\n

This *particular* example is on my list of favorites because of this ease of entry.  It\u2019s the comfortable on-ramp into the metaverse. \ud83d\ude97 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

But there is one OTHER reason why I take newbies to the Apart Gallery. It\u2019s an art gallery and it\u2019s a time capsule of a sliver of American time. The original gallery artwork was produced between February and April 2020. Think back to what we were doing then:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

– Social distancing<\/p>\n

– Stay home<\/p>\n

– Wash your hands<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

We were NOT talking about immunizations, unnecessary lock downs, and vulnerable populations. We didn\u2019t even know COVID could be airborne. The artwork reflects the public health propaganda of those months. I use that word NEUTRALLY, not in a negative way. (I\u2019m FOR public health!!)  The word propaganda to me means \u201crelaying an idea that you want someone to agree with\u201d. Another word might be \u201crhetoric\u201d.  It\u2019s fascinating to look back on what we were telling each other might work.  Truly, we have our own stories now, just like the haunting stories from the 1918 flu.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The great folks at Paradowski Creative<\/a> have since expanded the build so if you have time, wander around a bit. Not every version of the coming metaverse will be Second Life 2.0 ( \ud83d\ude0f ).<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

#VR<\/b> #XR<\/b> #InstructionalDesign<\/b> #ImmersiveWeb<\/b> #SpatialWeb<\/b> #WebXR<\/b> #ApartGallery<\/b> #ApartPosters<\/b> #Propaganda<\/b> #SocialDistancing<\/b> #WashYourHands<\/b> #StayHome<\/b> #Immunizations<\/b> #Art<\/b> #VirtualReality<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/b><\/p>\n

Day 9  The Naturalist’s Workshop<\/span>
<\/h2>\n

<\/span><\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/object><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s entry in my 12 Days of Christmas favorite XR-for-education examples is an odd one. For all those independent projects, developers, and small teams slogging away on tiny VR experiences and wondering\u2026does anyone notice this?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

My answer is YES.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I received exposure to the Naturalist\u2019s Workshop (from North Carolina State University and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences https:\/\/lnkd.in\/duyS4xaW<\/a> ) via a colleague. While I\u2019m sure it\u2019s great for learning some basic tree identification (yes!) I liked it for the basic design and how I could use THIS design to teach some elements of basic spatial design to others.  How do you situate a learner in a virtual space? How close is everything? How far away? Does the learner have to walk?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t use this experience with any instructions. It was just headset on, app on, and go. So I didn\u2019t even know it had a name or purpose. I was plopped in a small clearing in a forest on a slightly elevated concrete-looking platform with a desk and some stuff.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I did some basic spatial awareness practice. I looked at my hands. I looked at my feet. I looked to the front, to the left, to the right, behind me, below me, and above me (oh! Nice opening the tree canopy). I looked at my stomach (missing. huh.) So users have no avatars. But they don\u2019t need them to identify trees, do they? Even though the area is closed in, it did NOT feel claustrophobic at all\u2026because trees just fade off into the distance. The color theme is a bright spring green. The platform had a low knee-level wall and 2 gaps for going out into the forest (cough, expansion plans please!)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I bent down and looked under the desk and then discovered that the desk drawers do open! Hey there is stuff inside! So I started to pick those things up and when I placed them on the desk, something happened. Sometimes, I was temporarily transported to a 360 degree photo with one tree dominant in my view.  Oh! I had placed an object FROM the tree (a leaf or a seed) into a place and could learn more about it!  Level 1 tree identification unlocked. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

You can get this app via SideQuest.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

It\u2019s paced at 5-15 minutes. I assume the 5 minute-rs would know what they are doing.  I\u2019d say it\u2019s nicely at the 20 minute mark if you want to fool around.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

It\u2019s little projects like this (and the Dinosaur Track cast from Day 3) that are actually moving us forward in the XR for learning market.  It doesn\u2019t escape me that both were built in partnership between a university and a museum.  Are you writing this down? You should be.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#VR<\/b> #XR<\/b> #InstructionalDesign<\/b> #NaturalistsWorkshop<\/b> #VirtualReality<\/b> #VirtualNature<\/b> #TreeIdentification<\/b> #NorthCarolina<\/b><\/p>\n

Day 10 Sandboxes<\/b>
<\/h2>\n

<\/b><\/h2>\n


<\/b><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/b><\/div>\n


 <\/b> <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n


\n Happy Day 10 of the 12 Days of Christmas! You\u2019re
\nprobably getting tired of this by now, aren\u2019t you?  But we are almost to
\n the end!
<\/span>
<\/span>For today, my favorite
\nexample of XR-for-education is back to a concept\u2013 NOT a specific
\nplatform, app, or game. The concept is sandboxes. <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>No,
\n these are not virtual boxes on the ground filled with sand. These are
\nlocations in virtual reality where users are endowed as creators. 
\nVirtual reality needs these spaces.  I\u2019m reminded of the name of one of
\nmy favorite Facebook groups, I Require Art. I feel like that name needs a
\n second clause \u201clike I need air.\u201d  Virtual reality needs places where
\nusers of any kind can experiment.
<\/span>
<\/span>I\u2019m
\ngoing to name 2 platforms because they meet this standard: Upon entry,
\nusers are endowed as creators. Of course, it often matters where you are
\n standing.  You can\u2019t just create anywhere and everywhere. You must have
\n wisdom about this.
<\/span>
<\/span>When I first
\ndescribed Second Life to my best educational psychology friend and said
\n\u201cAll users are endowed as creators\u201d, he quipped back \u201cOh, you all can
\nhave God complexes!\u201d God, I loved working with that guy. He both kept me
\n grounded and pointed to the stars.
<\/span>
<\/span>But,
\n yes, users can have God complexes. Or to put it more finely, users can
\nexplore their desires to create, to shape their world, to build, to
\npaint, to sculpt, to cook, or do all kinds of creative things that
\nhumans have been doing for millennia.
<\/span>
<\/span>I
\n used to have a tiny patch of ground in Second Life, thanks to a grant
\nto educators via Montclair State University in New Jersey.  I could
\nbuild whatever I wanted (that was free b\/c I was cheap).  I set up a
\nfree pavilion, campfire, and space-pod office where-in I placed a
\nTiffany lamp and tiny velociraptor, as one would do.  It wasn\u2019t much,
\nbut it was my space.
<\/span>
<\/span>I found that this location (https:\/\/lnkd.in\/ek8h-22F<\/a>) does
\n a good job of explaining a virtual sandbox. I don\u2019t know them, but they
\n show the connection between space available, what you can do (rules),
\nand technical specifications (prim\/polygon or memory sizes).<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

\n
<\/a><\/div>\n


<\/span>
<\/span>In
\n the world of WebXR, Hubs allows for users to be creators from their
\nfirst moment. As long as the space you are inside of standing allows it,
\n you can bring in your own .glb files or surf over to Sketchfab.
<\/span>
<\/span>What\u2019s my fav? <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>Humans
\n are creators. We bring order to chaos.  The freedom to create is
\nimportant and yes, I think it is as important as air is to breathing.
\nNone of our other human endeavors would have value if we didn\u2019t have art
\n to express meaning.  Onward artists, onward!
<\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>Post
\n script: You might not know that most XR platforms do not endow users as
\n creators.  There could be costs, permissions, or it is simply not
\navailable.  That\u2019s why this feature is remarkable.
<\/span>
<\/span>(I actually do NOT know the platform Sandbox VR and this post does not constitute an endorsement.)
<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

\n

#VR<\/b> #XR<\/b> #InstructionalDesign<\/b> #Sandboxes<\/b> #CreativeSpaces<\/b> #CreativePlay<\/b> #Expression<\/b> #Art<\/b> #Freedom<\/b> #BringOrderToChaos<\/p>\n

<\/b><\/p>\n

Day 11 Action<\/span>
<\/h2>\n

<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/div>\n


<\/b><\/p>\n

Day 11 of the 12 Days of Christmas of my favorite XR-for-education examples! Today is another \u201cconcept\u201d– it is action.  I have some colleagues in the XR industry that believe that movement in XR is the best possible affordance of XR. I have disagreed with them. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

See one example where a researcher hypothesized that movement in XR would cause more learning and then (gasp!) found that it made no difference: Johnson\u2010Glenberg, M. C., Bartolomea, H., & Kalina, E. (2021). Platform is not destiny: Embodied learning effects comparing 2D desktop to 3D virtual reality STEM experiences. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 37(5), 1263-1284.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

But today I\u2019m splitting that action hair super fine.  <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I\u2019m actually FOR movement in XR when it facilitates learning.  Said another way: when all other media choices would not allow for equivalent movement in a situation (or if movement in XR is a brand new thing under the sun), movement, then, in XR is, yes, helpful.  I would not say it is the end-all be-all of XR-for-learning but it can help (facilitate) learning. I\u2019m hinting at neuroscience and body memory.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

For example, using XR before approaching a large, moving, and dangerous piece of equipment like a windmill to learn maintenance. YES. This is a good use of movement in XR because it makes something happen that no other form of media would easily do (not a drone or first person GoPro video). If it would be dangerous to approach with zero training, XR can provide action practice use of the equipment in a safe way. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Want some sources to support that? <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Here you go:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Students at the University of East London practice using PCR equipment in XR before using it in real life. https:\/\/lnkd.in\/eKhkRWks<\/a> <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Potential workers in windmill maintenance get exposed to the work conditions in XR to decide if they really want to pursue this career<\/p>\n

https:\/\/lnkd.in\/eqbzqceX<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

And the now somewhat buried Lowe\u2019s Home Improvement Store use of VR to teach skills like bathroom tiling to customers https:\/\/lnkd.in\/emJF7KRr<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Other versions of \u201caction\u201d include programs like Tiltbrush or possibly GravitySketch that allow users to move and create from inside of XR, not on the outside and bring art of object creations into XR like is the current method with programs like Unity, Unreal, and Blender.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The key to remember here is: compare the XR experience to its closest cognitively competitor experience. (READ: if the experience is processed in the brain the same way). If XR is faster or cheaper or safer than that competitor choice, XR is the way to go.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/object><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Video clip from Simulwind. Capture shows the user selecting and placing the correct size wrench to open an equipment panel.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#XR<\/b> #VR<\/b> #InstructionalDesign<\/b> #Action<\/b> #BodyMemory<\/b> #Safety<\/b> #Movement<\/b> #Art<\/b> #Skills<\/p>\n

<\/b><\/p>\n

Day 12 Emergency Services<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/div>\n


<\/b><\/p>\n

Last but far from least, my 12th favorite XR-for-education example has, as far as I discern right now, the strongest connection between USE and LEARNING. (Translation: a safe bet!)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

It\u2019s XR for the emergency and military services\u2013 fire, medical, police, and military. As the daughter of a fire instructor, this use just makes me smile. I\u2019m sure my Dad would have LOVED this.  He loved teaching and learning via fire simulations\u2013 there was no time his skills shone brighter than helping trainee firefighters learn things like fire behavior, untapped rural water sources, and fire site safety. I\u2019m sure I got my \u201cadult educator\u201d genes from him.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

By now, I don\u2019t have to tell you how XR for training uses here ticks every box of saving time, saving money, and reducing danger.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

But I\u2019ll spend this last moment on the list hinting \u2013 indeed \u2013 to the intriguing research connection here. What is it about emergency situations that makes XR work so well?  I don\u2019t know!  The emotional hype? The practice-so-many-times-until-you-can-do-it-in-your-sleep-ness? The visual SEEING of emergency situations\u2013 and living thereafter?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

So much cool depth to explore here, but in the meantime, using XR for these uses has my endorsement.  May we never need these services, but I\u2019m glad that our service people are getting well trained in the meantime.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Ending my 12 Days of Christmas on Epiphany (whew!) I wish you the gifts of peace, happiness, and good health in the New Year!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/object><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#XR<\/b> #VR<\/b> #InstructionalDesign<\/b> #EmergencyServices<\/b> #Police<\/b> #Fire<\/b> #EMS<\/b> #Medical<\/b> #Military<\/b> #SaveTime<\/b> #SaveMoney<\/b> #ReduceDanger<\/b><\/p>\n


\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

 <\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\nHappy Twelvetide or the name you might recognize, The 12 Days of Christmas! For you, I’ve arranged 12 of my…\n<\/div>\n
Continue reading “Happy Twelvetide! 12 of My Most Favorite XR for Education Examples”<\/span>…<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":860,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[69,37,363,11,27,26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-859","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-educational-technology","category-example","category-instructional-design","category-vr","category-xr","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cogitateandpercolate.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/859","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cogitateandpercolate.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cogitateandpercolate.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cogitateandpercolate.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cogitateandpercolate.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=859"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cogitateandpercolate.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/859\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":890,"href":"https:\/\/cogitateandpercolate.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/859\/revisions\/890"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cogitateandpercolate.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/860"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cogitateandpercolate.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=859"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cogitateandpercolate.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=859"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cogitateandpercolate.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=859"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}