Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Updated 6-21-23
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Depths of Virtual Reality and Integration in the Classroom
Depths of VR Model by Steve Bambury
Perception
The user is able to look around a sample 360° panorama. The experience is short and the user is passive.
This basic level is where most schools that are exploring VR are working right now - mostly due to logistics, economics and the availability of the technology. Essentially this level refers to the use of 360° images as the extent of the virtual experience. There is nothing wrong with this though! It is essential that the experience is supported and framed by well-considered pedagogy so that it becomes more than a gimmick. Example: 360° Cities
www.virtualiteach.com/vr-edu-model @steve_bambury
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Depths of Virtual Reality Levels
Stimulation
The VR experience is multi-sensory - augmented through video or audio. The user is still relatively passive and is guided rather than directing the experience.
The step above Perception is where I see 360° videos and simple experiences that utilise audio alongside 360° content. The same rule regarding the scaffolding of the experience with great pedagogy applies. Example: GoPro VR
Interaction
The user is able to interact with the virtual world at a basic level, i.e. highlighting a new space to move to. The experience is less passive though the user has limited choices for directing the flow of content.
This was the hardest level for me to define but I eventually settled on the concept of Interaction. This level forms a bridge between the simpler, less-autonomous experiences of the levels below and truly immersive experiences. The user has some degree of control here. An example of this would be users being able to navigate around an experience using a point and click interface to reach different areas of POVs. Example: HistoryView VR
Immersion
The user has a higher degree of autonomy within the virtual world and is able to direct the experience, make decisions and engage with a variety of elements within it. The experience is active and user-led. The virtual world begins to feel real and can evoke both the sensation of being elsewhere and an emotional reaction the the virtual location.
Sometimes referred to as "Presence." This is the zenith of VR - true immersion and it cannot be achieved using the simple headsets that are currently being used more broadly in schools. Essentially the Immersion level is where the user gains full autonomy and is able to make choices and create content within a virtual space. Multiple senses are engaged and an emotional reaction is possible. Example: Google Tilt Brush
“At the Perception level, the learner is relatively passive and as such the activity needs more support and direction from the educator. As the VR experience moves closer towards Immersion, it becomes more student-led, increasing the potential for deeper learning.”
www.virtualiteach.com/vr-edu-model @steve_bambury
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Tips from a Middle School Classroom
Jenne Bush, Newaygo Middle School, Michigan
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Controllers
There are left and right controllers
Adjust Headset
There are three adjustment straps - tilt up straps to put on/off
Storage
The box the Meta Quest come in is perfect for storage. Molded cases start at $40
Created by Andy Mann
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Create a Boundary
A boundary is a barrier created so while wearing the headset, a user does not collide with a wall or object
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Casting to a Phone or Chromecast
You can connect your phone using the Oculus app to cast what the user is seeing
Important: your phone and the Oculus Quest must be on the same wireless network for this to work
Casting is not always reliable.
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Proximity Sensor
Disable Proximity Sensor
Tips
Above your nose bridge is a small hole. Inside that hole is the proximity sensor, a power saving device. When the headset is removed and it senses light, it puts the Oculus Quest into sleep mode.
You may find it useful to disable the proximity sensor in order to show an app when the Oculus Quest is not on your head. A small sticker covering the hole works well.
Disabling the proximity sensor can be useful when demonstrating an app or presenting online. It can be a lot to coordinate; having a partner works best. When alone, place the Oculus Quest on your lap or on the table top, or try a foam head (sticker is not needed). I mounted the foam head on a tripod, making it easier to control.
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Cast to a Chromecast
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Other Casting Options
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Side Loading Apps/Utilities
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Take Photo and Record Video
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Troubleshooting
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Get Started - Basics Tutorial
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
App Lab DB
App developers worked with Oculus/Meta to develop the AppLab DB. It’s a store for apps in development. A disclaimer reminders users that the apps are still in development. App Lab installed apps are easier to install than using the sideload process with SideQuest and they show as a normal “Installed Apps” in the headset (Sideloaded apps are found in “Unknown Sources”.)
It can be a challenge to find the educational apps as the search function is weak unless you know the exact name of the app, such as “ZENVR” (with no spaces). I find it’s often easier to simply
explore the App Lab DB page by page and discover and purchase hidden educational app gems.
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Recommended Apps to Get Started
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Calming Apps
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
The idea for using the VR headsets came when I took a class on mindfulness in schools. We learned many techniques but most centered on a singing bell ( a small bowl and mallet ) that would help direct the students when to find their mindful space and we would work on lengthening the time they were able to remain in that present state, aware of the current moment vs all that draws them away.
When trying to work with my students with these basic mindful techniques I quickly realized that for the majority of them, they were unable to manage even brief moments of focused time. Most of my students have suffered trauma and stress in their lives and are reactive and tense upon entering school daily, make poor and reactive choices when in the classroom and are hostile or easily agitated when trying to be redirected to a better behavior choice, let alone being comfortable or trust in a quiet or calm state.
My school is one where most of my kids describe themselves as " having anger problems" and respond with anger in most situations, it is one of the primary issues I deal with daily.
The second issue that arose was that I was not meeting this group of students where they are in 2020.....solidly embedded in technology and the quiet singing bell and breathing was far beyond their ability as it is even for most us adults.
Acknowledging quiet mindfulness was too advanced, I needed to backtrack and help these students start with being able to at least disconnect from their strong emotions, anger, tension and frustration as a first step. I explored the idea of headphones for music, videos, or CD's to help them, in the moment of distress to be able to instantly disconnect from the trigger and calm themselves before we could work on a better or more productive response, as well as work on scheduling time for certain students who have regular outbursts to come in and practice calming techniques before they are in that state of mind.
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
While researching ways to support calming techniques for students with trauma, I came across the use of Virtual Reality headsets. There is a lot of research that supports this approach and virtually 1000's of apps to help support disconnecting from triggers, calming and mindfulness.
I was approved to purchase 4 Oculus Go VR headsets and researched apps that would promote calming, deep breathing, relaxation as well as apps that would provide interesting distracting options with the goal of purely disconnecting the student from the present moment and redirecting the feelings and emotions.
We have been very successful thus far. The students have responded very well, enjoying the apps, learning and practicing how it feels to be angry or agitated and allowing themselves to be redirected into a state of distraction then calm, allowing for a better conversation following a VR session and a more productive result of their emotion. Some frequently are able to regroup and rejoin their day.
We are using the VR headsets for the purpose of calming, redirecting, learning and as a reward for good choices. There are many choices of apps on the VR headsets for the students to use. We have a variety of deep breathing, calming and mindfulness apps. We have nature hikes and travel apps and some fun games that can be used as a reward.
We have created 4 walled off cubbies with bean bags and tapestries to promote a sense of space and safety while wearing the VR headsets. We allow students 10-20 minutes either as a scheduled session independent of counseling, before a counseling session, or on an as needed basis for students who have the use of VR as part of their treatment plan so they can stop into the counseling center when agitated or upset.
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
We are a work in progress but so far we are very excited with the results. The students really are responding positively to the use of VR and for the most part, are using them properly.
We recently were approved for another 12 headsets so each of our school wellness sites will have a pair to use with our students.
Wendy Rush, Muskegon Middle School Counselor
wrush@mpsk12.net �Behavioral Health consultant
School Wellness Program
Muskegon Middle School
This spreadsheet has a list of the most popular Relax and Meditation Apps for the Oculus Go (provided by Oculus). From: Oculus for the Go - Relax and Meditate Apps
Updated 2-22-23
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Social Studies/Empathy Apps
Tour the annex where Anne Frank and other hid, learn Anne’s story - great connection to the book & the persecution of Jews in WWII
This is an emotional interactive non-fictional journey which creates a deep connection with the visually impaired. More deeply understand the cognitive and emotional experience of blindness.
Thing Google Street View in VR - supports mic input for searching, location based learning, historical views to see changes over time
Explore 18 incredible spots, including many national parks. Breathtaking views, and virtual guide. Learn more at https://www.brinkxr.com
A virtual journey to iconic destinations: The Great Pyramids of Egypt. Paris. Italy: Florence & Rome, London. Washington, DC, New York City, and Brooklyn NY
Traveling While Black is a cinematic VR experience that immerses the viewer in the long history of restriction of movement for black Americans.
Meet Rockey, a homeless person who lives in a tent in a park. Learn about how a homeless person’s life and dreams are similar to our own
A magical world consisting of floating islands connected by portals. Each island contains statues that represents a story, a battle, a team, and an amazing patient.
Learn about unconscious bias in race and gender as you step into the bodies of a black woman and then a white male and experience a meeting in different roles.
Filmed in 2017, you visit a family that lives in Fallujah, recently under IS control. Families find their homes booby trapped with IEDs. It's a powerful story.
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Science Apps
3 different Antarctic adventures - kayaking, ice climbing, base-camp; immersive experience showcases the potential of VR; recommend new users start with kayaking and ice climbing (base-camp requires beaming to different locations and the use of hands w/ objects and a challenge for new users) The Machu Picchu section is beautiful and educational, but less engaging
Explore the 9 different environments, learn to use the controls to navigate with an environment and the creation orbs create and interact with object & control weather, light and more...grab a flowering branch
Swim around 14 different habitats as you explore a vivid underwater world full of life including dolphins, sharks, turtles, sea snakes, rays, whales, manatees, sea lions and even prehistoric animals
Available in SideQuest
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Space Apps
Apollo 11 is not very “engaging”, even in the interactive mode, however, it’s still amazing to be sitting next to or watching a virtual Neil Armstrong;
Mission ISS (International Space Station) has the viewer engaged in activities on ISS (some can get nauseous from movement)
A platform for VR movies about space exploration. Each episode is $2.99 (in app purchase). Immersive but not interactive. Amazing VR video from International Space Station
Explore our Solar System, view constellations and meteor showers in your night sky, stand in the footsteps of Neil Armstrong & Buzz Aldrin on the Moon, explore Mars with the Curiosity Rover, and hold planets, moons, asteroids and even stars in palm of your hand.
Shuttle Commander is an accurate physics-based flight simulator where you take to the controls of the space shuttle and land it at various real-world landing sites such as Kennedy Space Centre, White Sands Air Force Base and Edwards Air Force Base. Players can also experience the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope from the cockpit of Discovery in a real time launch experience using original NASA cockpit audio and mission data. Finally, you can view some of the amazing imagery from the Hubble Space Telescope which has been collecting data over the past 30 years from 568 kilometres above us.
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Arts Apps
Paint in 3D space with virtual reality. Unleash your creativity with three-dimensional brush strokes, stars, light, and even fire. Your room is your canvas. Your palette is your imagination.
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
English Language Arts (ELA) Apps
Anne Frank VR is a popular VR app which comes to mind when thinking how to use VR to support ELA. There are also apps which tell a story - such as
Henry (free) and The Line ($4.99)
YouTube is a great place to find 360 videos related to books your students may be reading. 360 videos viewed using the YouTube VR app are not interactive, so it’s an excellent app to use while sitting. An Internet connect is required. Try searching YouTube from a computer’s browser for 360 videos and a book title that you’re reading.
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Creativity & Problem Solving
In a world where robots have replaced all human jobs, step into the "Job Simulator" to learn what it was like 'to do the job'.
Gadgeteer is a physics-based VR puzzle game where you build chain reaction machines to solve fun, intricate puzzles. Your machines will use gadgets to launch, bump, twist, and turn—creating chain reactions that may even end up tearing apart the fabric of space-time.
a story-driven puzzle game set between a mountaintop observatory and an ever-changing fantasy world. Explore a vibrant kingdom, cast shadows and solve mind-bending puzzles as you uncover the mystery of missing schoolgirl, Lorna McCabe who vanished from Shadow Point Observatory twelve years ago.
8 episodes showcasing the creative process like never before with bonus Adam's "Cave" workshop tour
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Fitness/Sports
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Fitness/Sports
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Science Apps - Available in SideQuest
VictoryXR Apps - from VXR Direct as annual subscription with many other apps, or available as a one time purchase on Sidequest. They offer a VictoryXR bundle with all 5 dissection apps for $34.99
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Music Apps
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Create and View in VR
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Adam Savage's Tested VR
Inspired by Adam Savage’s Tested One Day Builds, travel on a journey inside the creative workspaces of incredible makers, bringing their processes to life, from ideation to creation. Featuring an eclectic roster of creators including a Broadway
and TV puppeteer and a cosplay animatronic wings designer, Adam and the Tested team put viewers inside their workshops for an intimate look at their builds.
Features
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
A favorite of English and social teachers, this app provides a unique and emotional insight into the two years Anne Frank hid in the secret Annex. Travel back to the years of the Second World War and wander through the rooms of the Annex that housed the group of 8 Jewish people as they hid from the Nazis. Guided by a young women, you’ll learn about
her experience as you traverse each recreated room. A great companion to those reading “The Diary of Anne Frank”.
ELA, Social Studies
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.c, 1.3.d, 1.7.a
Experience what it felt like to be part of the Apollo 11 crew on board the Saturn V for man's first mission to the moon. Stand on the Moon surface as Neil Armstrong takes his first steps or sit next to astronauts in the space capsule at lift off or landing. From the mix of original archive audio and video, you feel like you are a part of the mission. This is
historical accurate app provides some, but limited interactivity. Press any button to bypass the speech by President Kennedy.
Science, Social Studies, Technology/STEM
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.7.a
Arkio is a collaborative design tool that enables you to sketch buildings, interiors or urban plans. Collaborate with others on headsets or computers or mobile devices. Import resources from a large library of items. This is a powerful design program which provides many tools and will take some time to master. Tutorials and more can be found at https://www.arkio.is Arkio supports all
educational institutions. Get a free PRO license email a request to hello@arkio.is
Technology/STEM
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.4.b, 1.5.c, 1.6.b
Art Plunge immerses the viewer into five famous works of art, giving you the experience of being inside the painting. No audio or interpretations. The paintings include:
Arts
ISTE Student Standards: 1.5.c, 1.7.a
Audio Trip is all about movement, as you move your body to catch gems, ride ribbons, smash drums, and dodge barriers. Includes many levels and songs. Cardio mode, plus difficulty levels for beginner, regular, and experts. Be sure to have the controller hand straps on your wrists and have space around you so you don’t accidentally hit something or someone. This quote
says it all: “Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person’s physical, emotional, and mental states.” – �Carol Welch
Arts
ISTE Student Standards: 1.4.a, 1.5.d
Bait
You’re invited to Bait! Island to help your boss catch a rare fish, and thereby save the struggling aquarium where you work. During the game, you will catch a lot of different fish and make friends with the locals. But, will you be able to keep your loyalties both to your new friends and to your boss?
Fish in four different lakes, each with a distinct style and its own unique set of fishes.
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Beat Saber is VR rhythm app where you used colors “lightsabers” to slash the small colored cubes as they come at you. Be sure to slide in the correct direction and dodge obstacles, slicing to the beat of popular music. Students will get a good workout and have fun. Be sure to have the controller hand straps on your wrists and have space around you
so you don’t accidentally hit something or someone. You can purchase additional music packs or individual songs - Lady Gaga is a favorite.
Health/PE
ISTE Student Standards: 1.4.a, 1.5.d
Beat Saber
Beat Saber is a unique VR rhythm game where your goal is to slash the beats (represented by small cubes) as they are coming at you.
Every beat indicates which saber �you need to use and also the �direction you need to match. �All the music is composed to perfectly fit the handmade levels.
Our goal is to make players almost dance while cutting the cubes and avoiding obstacles. Each cut is strongly supported by great sound and visual effects to emphasize the rhythm. You will get a good workout and have fun at the same time.
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
George Mason University has a partnership to educate 4th grade about the honey bee and understand & appreciate the importance of pollinators. They created Hive Alive, a short VR movie that brings students into a beehive to see bees hatching, eating, and producing honey. They hope for the project to be expanded to schools across the county. A related app is the free Pollinator Park app (App Lab). It teachers the
importance of the pollination, what would happen if we didn’t have pollinators, and how we can help. www.pollinatorPark.eu
Science, Social Studies, Technology/STEM
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.7.a
Blueplanet VR Explore is the reason you purchased a 256GB headset as the amazing app requires 18.3GB of storage - but it’s well worth it. With an easy to use interface you can explore 40 scenic and cultural locations from around the world. It’s easy to teleport to locations in a scene - sometimes into the sky to get a bird's eye view. In some locations you can view from a hang glider. Information, 3D models interactive options and directional audio
deepen your engagement. Your students will love exploring sites through Blueplanet VR Explore. I highly recommend it.
Social Studies, World Language, Science
ISTE Student Standards: 1.7.a
Bodyswaps offers a collection of module for teaching soft skills between two people such as workplace communications, gender inclusion, and interview skills. The user records answers to questions and you “swap” bodies to see yourself answering. It uses AI to analyze your voice and eye/body positions to provide customized feedback.
The full interview module has 60 different questions. One module for 30 users is $2,300, 4 week pilot, unlimited users - all modules is $1,250 Learn more at: https://bodyswaps.co
Health/PE, Social Studies
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.5.c, 1.6.c
BoxVR - Demo
Music enhanced, boxing inspired workouts to Virtual Reality as you follow workout classes by leading fitness experts. These boxing workouts are designed to destroy calories in a most entertaining way including short 3 minute warm ups to 60+ minute endurance workouts.
Internet connection required
Features:
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Brink Traveler invites you to 20 different spots in 13 location - primarily national parks. Move in space or use thumbstick. Wrist watch brings up menu to select locations, select night or day, and to reset. Hold right hand flat and search to find hidden locations - when compass is displayed, close hand and point to marker. Horseshoe Bend is reloaded,
download others as desired, @ 135MB - 450 MB each. Click hotspots for additional information, capture and share photos of your favorite locations.
Social Studies, World Language
ISTE Student Standards: 1.7.a
BRINK Traveler
Travel to 20 different national parks. Move in space or use joystick. Watch brings up menu to select locations, select night or day, and to reset. Hold right hand flat and search to find hidden locations - when compass is displayed, close
hand and point to marker. Horseshoe Bend is preloaded, others are installed as desired, More locations are promised to be coming
Tours and size (tours can be uninstalled once viewed)�
Resources:
https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/3635172946605196/
Photo credit: https://www.lifewire.com/this-vr-travel-app-makes-me-long-for-the-real-thing-5201506
White Pocket | 445MB | The Wave | 134MB |
Mount Morrison | 344MB | Crystal Crag | 475MB |
Delicate Arch | 224MB | Antelope Canyon | 368MB |
Alabama Hills | 335MB | Death Valley North | 369MB |
Haifoss Iceland | 290MB | Death Valley South | 426MB |
Mount Whitney | 334MB | Haifoss Iceland | 290MB |
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Case Files: The Death of Paulette Williams can be found in the App Lab and is perfect for a career center’s criminal justice or forensics programs. You are the lead detective and interrogate two suspects in the recent death of an elderly relative - Paulette Williams. Interview,watch videos, and
use reference documents to uncover the truth. You choose the path of questions. It is interesting, but can be a little slow.
CTE - Criminal Justice
ISTE Student Standards 1.3.b, 1.5.b
From Felix & Paul Studios comes this entertaining experience of being immersed in the front rows of a Cirque du Soleil performance. Swing into a Mexican daydream in “Through the Masks of Luzia”, dive into a hypnotic underwater universe in, “Dreams of O”, challenge your perceptions with, “Inside the Box of Kurios”, and watch an epic battle
unfold in the mythical world of, “KÀ - the Battle Within”. Finish with a universal tale of change, renewal and enlightenment, “Alegria - a Spark of Light”
Arts, Social Studies, World Language
ISTE Student Standards: 1.7.a
Color Space is like a giant paint by numbers coloring book without any numbers. Simple controls and gentle music make this a good calming/relaxing app as you select pages from a coloring book to color. The left hand displays a customizable pallet of colors and an undo/redo button. The right hand is your paint brush and eyedropper tool. The app will apply
shades of your select color, making your picture look amazing! Spend a few minutes in this app and leave more relaxed and refreshed.
Arts, Health PE
ISTE Student Standards: 1.6.a, 1.6.b
Enjoy a lifelike cooking experience as you create over 80 recipes using 140 ingredients including: meat, fish, fruit veggies, dairy products and more. You also get spices and herbs to add that extra flavor. Ingredients respond to your actions by changing temperature, appearance and taste. Real life physics are applied to slicing potatoes, flipping steaks or boiling a soup. You even feel resistance when using a knife via haptic feedback in
the controllers. Your kitchen includes: griddles, pots and pans, cookers, gas stands, ovens, plates, knives & blenders.
Health/PE
ISTE Student Standards: 1.4.a, 1.4.b, 1.7.a
Cosmic Flow - is a free relaxation/meditation style app found in the App Lab. The calming synthesizer style of music will relax your busy mind. Close your eyes or leave them open as you watch abstract shapes and colors - you feel like you’re looking into a kaleidoscope. Learn how Dimitri created Cosmic Flow (6:28) to help busy people be more relaxed. Get behind
the scenes as you learn about the apps used to create Cosmic Flow.
Health/PE, Social Studies
ISTE Student Standards: 1.5.c
CoVince
CoVince is a powerful Dutch VR development and meeting platform. While most of the examples are in Dutch, CoVince is adding support for additional languages including English. Start by downloading the app https://covince.com/download onto a computer or mobile device.
CoVince offers many features and options. So plan on time to explore and master as it’s similar to a complete learning management system. CoVince allows users to create a journey, then as an option, sell it to others from their CoVince store.
I find this to be still be in beta mode - with it sometimes freezing up while using. And with many of the directions in Dutch, I’m often unsure where to go or what to click on.
Learn More or arrange for a demonstration contact Robert Richard van Tilborg learn@covince.com 0651017492
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Get ready for a workout as you learn dance moves. Characters demonstrate dance moves and you mirror what that and doing. Do well and get feedback and earn their “respect”. Two difficulty levels and colorful graphics and characters will make this a popular app. Great music and different dance moves for each song. Be sure
to have the controller hand straps on your wrists and have space around you. Consider protective covers for your controllers - as they may bump.
Health/PE
ISTE Student Standards: 1.5.a, 1.5.d
This app works well for a career center’s criminal justice or forensics programs. It is rated Mature 17+ (blood, gore, and language), and shooting practice with life like silhouettes. A teacher should evaluate before use. You are a detective investigating a violent homicide using a range of tools in
a forensic kit and your wits! With minimal information, uncover clues to solve the crime. Includes 2 episodes. 2.5GB
ISTE Student Standards 1.3.b, 1.5.a, 1.5.b
CTE - Criminal Justice
Squeamish about dissections? You’re not alone. This award winning app from VXR Direct https://vxr.direct allows students to explore the anatomy of a female frog inside and out. The frog’s respective organs are scientifically accurate models to scale, allowing students to have a full dissection experience at their
own pace. An award winning virtual science teacher guides student learning. Apps are also available for pig, dogfish, cat, & squid.
Science
ISTE Student Standards: 1.1.c, 1.3.d
Driftspace is a platform for creating immersive VR stories by combining 360 video and images, standard images, text, and link between scenes. Start at https://driftspace.com. Organize content or add/modify text in the Driftspace App, then publish your story. Students can work in collaboration using a
shared login or tour as a group in private rooms. Tours can be viewed in a web browser on a PC or mobile device. �Try the USS Silversides Tour
Technology/STEM, Social Studies, World Language
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.6.b, 1.6.d, 1.7.b
Driftspace
Driftspace allows creators to make engaging and interactive content without having to know a line of code. Use 360° panorama images, 360° videos, and flat images, text, and links to create immersive stories, and documentaries. Users can add links or portals
between scenes and export stories to the web, making it easier for view without a headset. You can get started using 360° images captured using a 360° cameras such as the Ricoh Theta cameras (which can also record video) or with the free Google Street View app on a mobile device.
Driftspace allows students to work collaboratively in both the development of stories and in collaboratively viewing stories. With free and paid accounts, it’s easy to get started (free account provides all standard features with 3GB of storage.)
Learn More or arrange for a demonstration contact CEO, Sam Mateosian sam@yarncorporation.com
Created by Andy Mann
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Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Long Weekend in Spain guides users to explore 4 locations in Spain through a series of 360 videos and photos. You are asked questions and interact in Spanish and through the power of your microphone and AI speech recognition, you are guided to speak Spanish with proper pronunciation.
Discover the culture, history, and language in immersive, interactive videos and photos!
World Language
ISTE Student Standards: 1.4.d, 1.7.a
Explore the great savannahs of Kenya, the ancient jungles of Borneo and the rich coral reefs of Raja Ampat in this award winning documentary series. Meet elephants, orangutans, manta rays and some incredible people in stunning cinematic footage filmed from the air to the ocean. The menu begins with the Earth - you turn and click on hotspots in the three tour locations. A good app for viewing in the classroom with a Stationary guardian
Each of the three tours is ~ 1.9 GB. Another good reason to have the headset with extra storage capacity.
Science
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.7.a
Eleven Table Tennis allows you to play table tennis (ping pong) by yourself or against another person. The graphics are realistic and the ball’s response to the paddle makes you feel like you’re playing on a real table with a real ping pong ball, playing each game to eleven points. You can adjust the height of the table, so it is at the perfect height. When you play online - against a friend or an unknown person,
your mic & speakers will makes you feel you’re in the same room. Place a real table where the table would go, so when you lean you don’t fall on your face.
Health/PE
ISTE Student Standards: 1.5.c, 1.7.a
Host meetings, presentations, classes and events in virtual reality. Start at https://engagevr.io to create an account and avatar. Present in a hundreds of different locations with your own content and videos. Pull from a vast library of virtual content. ENGAGE works with major VR headsets and even on computers (some VR options are
lost.) VictoryXR partners with Engage to provide MS/HS school content, and will create 10 metaversities, Fall 2022.
Technology/STEM, Social Studies, World Language
ISTE Student Standards: 1.7.b, 1.7.c, 1.7.d
Epic Roller Coasters
VR will give you the same feeling of real roller coasters in places and situations that probably you will never have in the real life!
Four modes:
https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2299465166734471
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Everyday Inclusion
An Interactive Learning Journey About Unconscious Bias
This experience addresses the topic of unconscious bias, microaggression and intersectionality in race and gender. Participants attend a meeting in two roles: first as Tamara, a black women who is a new hire, and
again as Victor, the team leader.
During the meeting you will have choices related to the dialogue, and the dialogue and choices represent unconscious bias. There are also opportunities to “tag” times when bias or microaggression are noticed by clicking the controller’s trigger. Your observations are reviewed and discussed following the meeting.
The application is designed to be used as part of a curriculum, developed by the Cornell University's Diversity & Inclusion Department, & Cornell University's Interactive Theater Team to addresses the topic of Unconscious Bias, Intersectionality, including themes of Race and Gender. Check out the full curriculum suite at: Everyday Inclusion and https://equalreality.com/everydayinclusion
Available in the SideQuest app and must be sideloaded onto the Oculus Quest. Everyday Inclusion - SideQuest Download ($100)
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Visit https://equalreality.com/everydayinclusion to learn more about this powerful app which allows you to experience unconscious bias as you become a black women attending a staff meeting. In this women’s body, you discover that you are not “heard” as much as a white male. You can record when you notice this unconscious bias for later debrief. Then change roles to observe
from another viewpoint. Currently only
available from Sidequest, the publisher also has an app for LGBQT bias
Health/PE, Social Studies
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.4.d, 1.6.a
Felix & Paul Studios are a platform for viewing their award winning documentaries and stories. Many of their creations are in their own app, however, this launcher allows you to view the others. These include a tour of the White House with Michelle and Barack Obama, and a journey to Yosemite National
Park. Learn about the life of Nomads through three stories from different parts of the world. Enjoy a studio recording with Montreal musician, Patrick Watson, and weird Gymnasia.
Science, Arts, Technology/STEM, Social Studies, World Language
ISTE Student Standards: 1.7.a
Take your first steps in VR as you master using the handheld controllers in this short Oculus Quest app. Learn to stack virtual cubes, hit a ping pong ball, shoot rockets, fly a blimp and toss a paper airplane. Ready for more? Try dancing with a robot which mimics your moves or shoot at moving targets. This VR app comes preinstalled with the Oculus Quest and helps students quickly
master your handheld controllers and the potential of 6 Degrees of Freedom (6DoF) virtual reality. Have every student start with this app.
Technology/STEM
ISTE Student Standards: 1.1.a, 1.5.a
First steps
Take your first steps in VR and get to know your controllers in this short experience that showcases the power of Oculus Quest.
A great first app to learn about the immersive potential of virtual reality.
Don’t get this confused with First Contact - which is also a good app.
�Tips
First Steps - Oculus Quest Demo Video (11:13)
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
GrooVR - Air drumming
A nostalgic look back at games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero, Beat Smith sets up a virtual drum kit for you to play through a variety of
challenging songs. Your hands gain virtual sticks and the space in front of you is transformed into a 3D drum kit where you have to strike virtual pads set at different vertical levels throughout a playing space of 150 degrees horizontally.
The songs are catchy and interesting, and the rhythmic variations are challenging and fun. Make sure you have plenty of space or you will certainly be boxing family members and pets who get too close.
Features:
https://sidequestvr.com/app/1672/beat-smith-air-drumming-big-update
Reviewed by Jason Boyden
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
This app is not about space or astronauts. It is about gender bias with “over the top” examples of a professional woman in a male-centered space program. From the start, Astronaut Turova is greeted by her flight partner and then in a press conference - questions and comments model many examples of gender stereotyping and bias. Even in the photos before the launch, the
photographer talks about her looking pretty. For generating discussions about gender bias, this is a good app. Has a Russian/beta feel to the app.
Health/PE, Social Studies
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d 1.7.a, 1.7.d
If you like Rube Goldberg type puzzle, you’ll love Gadgeteer. Create chain reaction machines to solve fun, intricate puzzles or build your own. Start with the tutorial to understand how to duplicate and move objects. Note: you can’t walk or beam around in space, however, you can pull the space to you by holding a trigger and pulling. Two modes: Puzzle mode - with 60 puzzles to solve and
A Maker or sandbox mode. Create a puzzle by clicking left controller raised button to open a toolbox packed with a huge assorted puzzle pieces and balls.
Technology/STEM
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.5.d, 1.6.c
Gadgeteer
Gadgeteer is a physics-based VR puzzle game where you build chain reaction machines to solve fun, intricate puzzles. Your machines will use gadgets to launch, bump, twist, and turn—creating chain reactions that may even end up tearing apart the fabric of space-time.
PUZZLE MODE - Solve 60 physics puzzles in endless ways.
SANDBOX MODE - Build your dream machine without any rules but the rules of physics. When you're done, share your masterpiece or experience the engineering marvels of others.
FEATURES:
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Anatomy teachers will love this app. Select between male or female and then drill down to system - skeleton, muscular, circulatory, nervous…with options to turn on movement for a muscle for a body part. Micro exploration of the eye, ear and skin. It’s easy to navigate and move around the body parts. Parts display
in great detail, with labels. Parts can be pulled apart for closer exploration then put back together like a puzzle. Classroom/school pricing available.
Science
ISTE Student Standards: 1.1.c, 1.3.a, 1.3.d
Gravity Lab is “Rube Goldberg in space with zero gravity. It provides 55 puzzles with 3 variations of each and sandbox for creating your own challenges. The goal is to move balls coming out of a machine into a receiver - using only the unlocked modifier tools. Press the Y button to bring a menu of modifier tools. Select a tool and place it in the path of the ball to get it moving towards the
receiver. Once you’ve tested, select run to check your design. A great apps for teaching problem solving. There is even a miniature mode for easier seated play.
Technology/STEM
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.5.a, 1.5.c, 1.5.d, 1.6.c
Gravity Sketch is such a powerful drawing tool, plan to invest time in mastering the multitude of sketching and drawing tools - built-in tutorials help. Create a free account at landingpad.me and then you can import and export files. Students can design in VR then export the file to 3D print. Try importing a design or object and use it as a template to sketch over. Create a private room and groups and collaborate on projects. Rich
with features - included unlimited layers and undos (using a clock to go back in time). There’s even a free iPad app.
Arts
ISTE Student Standards: 1.5.a, 1.5.c, 1.6.b, 1.6.c, 1.7.b
This app takes a little while to get the hang of, but once I did I could really appreciate the mechanics used to allow a tai chi experience in VR. There is a transparent instructor in front and to the sides, guides for your feet above and below and an orb following a path for your hands. Initially, this seems a lot to try and keep track but once you get into the zone, you will find yourself merely glancing at these guides while you enjoy the experience.
The guides are essential - with no instructor or feedback. Line everything up just right, and feel the success.
Health/PE
ISTE Student Standards: 1.4.d, 1.5.c
Anatomy teachers will love this app. Select between male or female and then drill down to system - skeleton, muscular, circulatory, nervous…with options to turn on movement for a muscle for a body part. Micro exploration of the eye, ear and skin. It’s easy to navigate and move around the body parts. Parts display
in great detail, with labels. Parts can be pulled apart for closer exploration then put back together like a puzzle. Classroom/school pricing available.
Science
ISTE Student Standards: 1.1.c, 1.3.a, 1.3.d
Learn about Georges Seurat, a painter with a style of painting that was not accepted at the time. Understand more about his life and challenges. This app is more of a story rather than being interactive, art enthusiasts will love this introduction to Seurat and pointillism. You will also learn about his famous, “A Sunday Afternoon �on the Island of La Grande Jatte” which on
display at the Chicago Art Institute.
Art
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.a, 1.7.a
Filmed in 2017, you visit Ahmaied and his a family that lived in Fallujah, recently under Islamic State (IS) control. Families return to find homes booby trapped with IEDs. Listen and watch Ahmaied as he tells his story about returning to his home and his fear for his family. Hear Ahmaied speak of his hopes and his feelings of loss. Learn what it's like to fear the home you once loved. It's a powerful story. This experience contains �disturbing content. Viewer discretion is advised.
Social Studies
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.7.a
Began by learning to navigate and clean in one of the many different houses. On your wrist press the button on the watch to bring up a menu - shop, jobs, and houses. Earn money and new skills as you complete jobs. Turning up right wrist to display tasks to complete in each room. A good app to teach student how to follow directions to complete a job, however, it does not allow for a lot of creativity. Great interface.
Arts, Technology/STEM
ISTE Student Standards: 1.1.c, 1.5.b
A simple app - with four options: skeleton muscles, internal organs, or skull bones and three different levels for each: hard, normal, or easy. Adjust levels and the time limit adjusts from 5 - 15 minutes. If you select the wrong option or difficulty there is no option to return to the main menu. Drag a bone,
muscle, or organ, and the correct position is yellow highlighted when close. It’s fun to play and try to score the lowest time in the class.
Science
ISTE Student Standards: 1.1.c, 1.5.b
This app from Australia, was created to help family and support better understand how to support those with an intellectual disability. Though the power of virtual reality, you sample what it would be like to go through your daily tasks as a person with a disability, from eating a meal, communicating with family, or reading a pamphlet. Learn
how these challenges in processing
information, reading, and hand control can impact their daily life. This app will open �your eyes and your heart.
Health/PE, Social Studies
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.4.d, 1.7.a
Try out Inspirit science curriculum in their App Lab sampler or subscribe for the entire suite of apps to teach chemistry, biology, and physics. Subscriptions provide access to both computer based and VR simulations and annotated and “breakable” 3D models to deepen understanding. Content includes flashcards and quiz questions.
Offers different subscription options, including 4 free VR headsets for Title 1 Schools (however, I’m not sure this offer is still available.)
Science
ISTE Student Standards: 1.1.a, 1.3.c, 1.3.d
Students enjoy the game like feeling and colorful graphics of Job Simulator. Simulating the tasks of being gourmet chef, an office worker, a convenience store clerk, or an auto mechanic. In the kitchen you can get items out of the refrigerator, chop, cook and serve (even make a mess.) Turn on infinite overtime and your work will go on forever.
Multi-language support.
Technology/STEM, Social Studies, World Language
ISTE Student Standards: 1.1.c, 1.3.d, 1.4.a
Job Simulator
In a world where robots have replaced all human jobs, step into the "Job Simulator" to learn what it was like 'to do the job'.
Players can relive the glory days �of work by simulating the ins and �outs of being a gourmet chef, an �office worker, a convenience store clerk, and more.
Key Jobbing Features:
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
From Felix & Paul Studios comes this stand alone app. It includes 2 VR movies - Apatosaurus - about a herbivore dinosaur and Blue - named after a velociraptor made famous in the Jurassic Park series. The experience is engaging and realistic, as you follow the chosen dinosaur through a series of increasingly dangerous encounters...at one point even getting a close-up look into the bellowing mouth of a tyrannosaurus rex. Stream or download (Apatosaurus 1.2GB and Blue 3GB.) The
app includes two movie and very realistic and a lot of action, but no interaction. Ideal for being seated in a swivel chair.
Science
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d
Jurassic World
This app consists of 2 VR movies...not a directly interactive experience. One movie is from the view of an Apatosaurus and one from a Velociraptor (specifically, "Blue" from the movies). The experience is actually very engaging and realistic, as you follow the chosen dinosaur through a series of increasingly dangerous encounters...at one point even getting a close-up look into the bellowing mouth of a pretty famous predatory dinosaur.
This app could be used in an �Elementary class unit on dinosaurs, �a science class about predators & prey, or perhaps even pausing the experience to have students write a "what do you think happens next" prompt in an ELA class. Even though the interactivity is limited to looking around, this is still an app that you need to experience.
Features:
Jurassic World, on Oculus Quest
Reviewed by Andy Haak
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Graffiti in VR is a space for students to be creative. Start by selecting one of 10 different locations - a wall, a rooftop, a train car and start to paint…use the left thumbstick to change between a menu pad and a color selector - and spray with your right trigger. Right thumbstick cycles through colors in spectrum. Spray close or farther away. Change spray heads. Disappointing is no undo option or
eyedropper. Cool stencils and a playback option allows you to playback a movie of you painting your design. Select music.
Supports multiple user in the online mode.
Arts
ISTE Student Standards: 1.6.b, 1.7.c
Nano: Cell integrates the complexities of protein synthesis in a story about saving the world from a viral pandemic. Students are on a top secret mission aimed to onboard a synthetic immune cell. Students work with a partner alternating roles - one at Mission Control (Chromebooks are okay) and the other in the app as a nano drone pilot, operating cellular machinery to build proteins and keep cell X alive. Excellent teacher guides. Currently
available for beta/evaluation. Contact Lighthaus for more info.
Science
Science
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.7.a
Nano: Genetics students, living in a post-apocalyptic world, must determine the genetic makeup of Earth’s last five pea plants to identify the plants be best suited to survive. Using the VR app, students enter the BioDome research facility to grow peas and complete research. Using virtual investigations they will understand and record in a logbook, each plant’s genetic composition.
Designed to be completed in 5 class periods. Excellent teacher resources. Currently available for beta/evaluation. Contact Lighthaus for more information.
Science
Science
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.7.a
Relax with hypnotic experiences, guided meditations, beautiful rainswept vistas or ethereal landscapes. With breathing visualisations you have 30 unique virtual reality experiences. Soothly music and an options to recline are helpful features. You’re asked about how you’re feeling and the experience adjusts. Each week they rotate the free content. To continue to access a favorite relaxation experience, or to unlock additional
experiences requires a $35 a year membership. A great app for a school
or classroom calming center.
Health/PE, Social Studies
ISTE Student Standards: 1.1.c
Learn about three different cultures and history of food from around the world as you recreate authentic dishes. Follow the directions from a “Ghost Chef” that float like a white flame and gently guide your cooking, in a friendly accented voice. Start in a kitchen in Ancient Greece, around 400 - 500 BCE. Complete dishes for a new year’s celebration in Song Dynasty, China, 960 - 1279 CE. Spice up your cooking in a kitchen in the
Yucatan Peninsula, 1500 - 1600 CE. Download the recipes and cook at home. https://lostrecipes.schellgames.com
Health/PE, Social Studies, World Language
ISTE Student Standards: 1.4.a, 1.4.b, 1.7.a
ISS - short for the International Space Station, is an interactive simulation which puts you in space, moving around the station with in zero-gravity using your controllers. Select from Training, Mission, or Explore. Grab handles or use the thumbstick to move. Press the raised A button to show the tablet with the menu. Try the space walk for amazing views. NASA astronauts provide informative videos
as you complete tasks in the ISS or space walk. Warning, it’s easy to feel nauseous as you move around in zero gravity.
Science, Social Studies, Technology/STEM
ISTE Student Standards: 1.4.b, 1.4.d, 1.5.b
This app, from the App Lab has potential. It provides 12 different molecules that you must create from atoms, and then predict the molecule’s geometry. This is used to determine a molecule’s polarity. Last - calculate the force of the vector between each atom and direction to determine the polarity of the intermolecular bonds and the overall polarity of the molecule. The challenge is that there are no options to move within the app. To
press a button or select an atom in the app, you must physically move 6 - 8 feet. It will not work with a stationary guardian.
Science
ISTE Student Standards: 1.5.a, 1.6.c
Learn 30 different languages with 30 - 60 minutes worth of content. Presents a scene where a native speaker is talking with you and you must reply. A list of possible replies is displayed with a button to hear the reply in the language. When prepared, you click a microphone and reply. Using AI, the app analyzes your reply and allows you to
progress to the next interaction or requests you repeat (with infinite patience). A good app for practice or to be introduced to a new language.
World Language
ISTE Student Standards: 1.6.a, 1.6.c
Travel to Antarctica or Machu Picchu in National Geographic Explore VR. An ideal first activity is to guide your kayak through a river of icebergs - don’t worry, you can’t tip over. Be sure to watch out for penguins that like to jump onto the kayak. Next, climb an icewall to follow a route towards the top of a glacier. Optional to capture photos along the way. Though less engaging,
the Machu Picchu section is very educational as you capture photos to document artifacts from Inca life.
Science, Social Studies, Technology/STEM
ISTE Student Standards: 1.7.a
National Geographic Explore VR
Travel to Antarctica to navigate around icebergs in a kayak, climb a massive ice shelf and survive a raging snowstorm as you search for a lost emperor penguin colony. Or visit Machu Picchu, Peru and get immersed in amazing digital
reconstructions of the ancient Inca citadel. Witness mummy worship, raise a cup of sacred chicha and encounter alpacas as you match Hiram Bingham’s photographs from when he rediscovered the Inca citadel.
From the app menu, you can switch between users and it keeps the user’s level and photos. However, it may simply be easier to reset the use/data between users. This is done in the app menu (left flat button) Resetting the data will delete stored photos and set it so the next user starts back at the introduction and kayaking. (base-camp requires the use of hands w/ objects and can be a challenge for new users)
https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2046607608728563/
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Explore 9 different environments including a tropical beach, underwater ocean, forest, meadow or starts and space. Control the weather, change day to night and shape your world. Discover animals including elephants, giraffes, whales, and turtles. Toss one of the 'creator orbs' to add birds, butterflies, rocks, and trees to customize your space. Options
to turn on breathing guide and select music to create a personal refuge of tranquility.
Science, Social Studies
ISTE Student Standards: 1.5.b, 1.5.c, 1.6.a
Nature Treks VR
Explore tropical beaches, underwater oceans and even take to the stars. Discover over 20 different animals. Command the weather, take control of the night or shape your own world. Immerse yourself into the Nature Treks VR experience and escape into a world of relaxation.
Features
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Imagine a VR app which can help you experience what it would be like to lose your eyesight through VR video and sound. Listen to John Hull’s experience in this powerful interactive non-fictional VR journey. Designed with separate stories - you can listen to one or the entire collection. In many, he talks about how sound helps him to paint a picture of his surroundings, through
spatialized audio and movement tracking. Create a deeper connection with the visually impaired. This can be used sitting down.
Health/PE, Social Studies
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.4.d, 1.7.a
Notes On Blindness
Travel on an emotional journey into a world beyond sight. Listen to recorded narration by John Hull, who after decades of steady deterioration, became totally blind. He documented his experiences on audio cassettes and his original diary recordings create the basis of
this interactive non-fictional narrative which is a cognitive and emotional experience of blindness. Storytelling, art direction and graphical universe form a unique and singular immersion, completed by movement tracking, spatialized sound and controller interactions.
This is an emotional journey - which creates a deeper connection with the visually impaired. A “must view” app for those who works with visually impaired students.
https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/1946326588770583
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Are you brave enough to swim with the sharks or killer whales? Explore a vivid underwater world full of life including dolphins, sharks, turtles, sea snakes, rays, whales, manatees, sea lions and even prehistoric animals! Swim around 14 different habitats (including prehistoric) with handheld controllers which activate small propellers.
Activate the education mode and click
the “ghost” icons and learn about the animals you encounter with 40 narrated information points.
Science
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.4.d, 1.7.a
Ocean Rift
Explore a vivid underwater world full of life including dolphins, sharks, turtles, sea snakes, rays, whales, manatees, sea lions and even prehistoric animals! Swim around each of the 14 habitats using innovative motion controls. Activate the education mode to
learn more about the animals you come across. There are over 40 fully narrated information points to discover.
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
In the category of First Steps, this app introduces VR using a series of cartridges provided by a floating WALL-E looking robot. Inserted the cartridges into a special 3D-like virtual printer and print butterflies, music makers, a Nerf gun. Unlike other apps, after the 10 minutes of fun exploration, this app actually quits. Some of the controls are not as intuitive as in First Steps and the environment is busy (office inside a motorhome). My
favorite part was shooting Nerf darts that would stick to the robot. First Steps is a better intro to VR for your students.
Technology/STEM
ISTE Student Standards: 1.4.a, 1.5.c
Oculus First Contact
Experience the magic of ‘presence’ in VR, exploring moments that feel as real as they are fantastically impossible. Dig into a magic box full of toys and a robot guide; make a new friend, then touch, tap, bounce, hold and throw things, and play together.
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Oculus TV is similar to your TV remote or Roku, as it offers different channels, with most channels available as stand alone apps. Be cautious about
signing into using your personal streaming account. Recommended videos include: PBS’s Ancient Invisible Cities - inside the Great Pyramid of Giza, Micro Monsters by David Attenborough, National
Geographic 360 Lion Cub, America’s Ghost Towns, One Day In…tours of major cities, Dive with Sharks, free solo climb El Capitan in Yosemite, heli-ski, skydive, and ride with the Blue Angels.
All Curriculum Areas
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.7.a
Oculus TV
Access to award-winning 360 stories. Check out the “Editor Picks”. Oculus TV is not interactive so it’s ideal to use while sitting. An Internet connect is required. �Oculus TV – howtovr.com - tips & recommendations - to save a video,
click the three vertical dots next to the video’s name, select “Save”.
One Day In…tour of major cities around the world | |
Documentaries - PBS’s Ancient Invisible Cities for a view inside the Great Pyramid of Giza | Micro Monsters, a series about small but dangerous creatures narrated by David Attenborough |
America’s Ghost Towns, which explores American history through the remnants of abandoned towns | Dive with sharks, heli-ski, skydive, ride along with the Blue Angels, free solo climb El Capitan in Yosemite |
Step on stage with acts like Cirque du Soleil, Broadway shows, Blue Man Group, the Rockettes, magicians | Up-close encounters with wildlife such as 360 Lion Cub from National Geographic |
Climb Mt Everest in a three-part Everest VR series | |
360 VR Space Safari series sends you on missions through space narrated by real astronauts | Experience the International Space Station”, shot by an astronaut aboard the ISS |
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
OhShape is an app that encourages you to move. Each game is called a “map.” Things come at you to the beat of a song. Move to avoid obstacles, hit coins, punch holes, pose in a specific position with your arms and legs as a silhouette of your body is projected. Includes 32 “maps” with 4 difficulty levels. Supports Party Mode where you can compete with your friends. There are many apps in this category, Beat Saber and Synth Riders top rated alternatives. The body silhouette is a feature �which makes this unique.
Health/PE
ISTE Student Standards: 1.4.a, 1.5.d
Paint in 360 using Open Brush. Cycle through brushes and color pallets with left thumbstick and paint with right controller trigger. Right thumbstick adjusts thick/thin drawing tip and button for turtle (delayed) or rabbit (immediate) drawing. Hold the two side toggles to move around your scene (there is also a teleport option). Change scenes - desert, snow, space … Connects to Google or SketchFab accounts for saving/importing. References
Poly a product Google no longer supports. A free open source version of Tilt Brush. For multiplayer - purchase MultiBrush.
Arts
ISTE Student Standards: 1.1.c, 1.6.b
The Italian Openlab app has students using hand controls to perform real-life lab experiments in VR (without the danger of an explosion). There is even an experiments where you are resized to the size of a molecule and become immersed into a test tube during a reaction. Students can virtually interact with realistic lab equipment - from test tubes to advanced testing machines. Modules include
interactive quizzes to assess learning and an online teacher dashboard to monitor student progress.
Science
Science
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.5.b
The focus in this travel app is learning about the culture. The app currently has 4 locations: the studio of the Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla, the back alleys of Tokyo, the interior of the abbey church of Santes Creus and a street in Havana.
However, these locations include 360 images that you can move around within, and directional sound, creating a real sense of presence. View your left wrist to access a menu with maps, exit to home and more. Some little interactivity is built-into the app. Mezquita-Catedral de �Córdoba will be added in the future.
Social Studies, World Language
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.4.d, 1.7.a
Painting VR is like having your own painting studio that you can easily move around within and rearrange. Raised controller button makes it easy to select a color, hands can hold paint cans for mixing colors and brushes. Adjust brush size, opacity, and how much colors mix. Five levels of undo and a useful feature - an in-app web browser with Google search for finding sample
images. Helpful built-in tutorials and option to export file to Oculus Files (which can sync to Oculus mobile app.) Art teachers & students will love this app.
ISTE Student Standards: 1.1.c, 1.6.b
Arts
Help students apply core math concepts using real-world simulations in virtual reality with 20 math modules, from MS math & geometry to Algebra II. Teach a module in two segments using the app, then follow up with a session to synthesize learning. Engaging graphics and excellent teacher resources. Require a per user subscription. HS science modules are schedule to be released summer 2023. School version includes an integrated
teacher dashboard for live tracking student of progress and two way communications within the app.
Math
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.4.a, 1.5.b
Pandemic by Prisms
Pandemic by Prisms is a module in a VR algebra curriculum being developed by Prisms VR. The course includes 5 modules including linear functions, quadratics, exponentials (Pandemic), systems of equations, and statistics.
Geometry curriculum is scheduled to be added in February.
This app engages students as they learn about the impact of the pandemic on the health system. This module builds fluency by applying algebraic thinking to problems of today - the global pandemic and the ability for hospitals to take care of the infected. �It brings math functions to life as students apply their algebraic thinking and computation skills to a current problem. From https://www.prismsvr.com
Prisms VR offers a complete package with 15 or 30 Oculus Quest 2 or Pico Neo 3 headsets, curriculum, training, support, and a management console & charging stations.
Learn more at the Prisms YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7ynE99A9OrboiCMGKDrb2Q
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Paradiddle
Paradiddle is a VR app made by percussionists for percussionists as well as music educators. Paradiddle not only features drum kits but also mallet instruments including marimbas, xylophones and glockenspiels.
These instruments are expensive to purchase, so having a virtual option narrows the privilege gap between both individual students and school music programs. One can also play accessory percussion instruments, such as tambourine and triangle. That makes this app a comprehensive complement to any percussion curriculum.
Features:
https://sidequestvr.com/app/1524/paradiddle
Reviewed by Jason Boyden
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Racket Fury - Table Tennis VR
Based on scientific research, play table tennis in an extremely realistic and accurate manner. Five amazing scenes and play in the daylight or at night! Face 16 opponents in the singleplayer mode or challenge your virtual friends. Internet connection required
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Like Beat Saber, you need to remove items coming at you (colored circles) and dodge other items (red pokey circles.) Controllers are moved at the circles being projected at you and they are destroyed. At the same time, there are red poky circles coming at you which you must dodge. Watch the shapes that sends the projectiles for a color change. Press the trigger before the red poky is
released to slow it down, making it easier to dodge. A swivel chair or wheelchair is okay, but standing is best.
Health/PE
ISTE Student Standards: 1.4.a, 1.5.d
What could be more relaxing or calming tha going fishing? Put on your special sunglasses to see where to see the fish in one of the many peaceful fishing locations. When you catch a fish, you must lead the fish and fight it, as you reel to bring it in. Catch and release or save your fish to a fish tank in the lodge. Earn points by catching fish to upgrade your fishing equipment. Easier to catch fish are worth less points. Support multiplayer
mode, allowing you to go fishing with friends. A fun, realistic fishing experience that will �get you “hooked.”
Health/PE, Social Studies
ISTE Student Standards: 1.4.a, 1.5.d, 1.7.c
Star Chart
Explore our Solar System, view constellations and meteor showers in your night sky, stand in the footsteps of Neil Armstrong & Buzz Aldrin on the Moon, explore Mars with the Curiosity Rover, and hold planets, moons, asteroids and even stars in palm of your hand.
Explore the solar system, from the Sun to the moons of Saturn and out to the farthest reaches of Pluto. Gaze down and marvel at our solar system from above. Look up in wonder at the rings of Uranus. Feel the awe of floating in space around worlds no human has yet set foot on. See how the constellations of our night sky are made up of stars distant to each other in both space and time. Embrace the impossible distances and the inordinate scale of our universe.
https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/1951863938215666/
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Design 3D objects starting with a blank slate or from pre-made shapes. View the gallery of what others have created for ideas. Just open and explore with built-in tutorials or visit www.sculptrvr.com/start Quickly change colors, adjust thickness and more. Undo is easy - right toggle on the thumbstick. Lock the horizon to reduce motion overload. Multiplayer mode allows your friends to create with you. Try playing hide-and-seek,
climb a mountain you created, hang glide, or have them guess while you create. Screenshot or exports your creations.
Arts
ISTE Student Standards: 1.1.c, 1.6.b, 1.7.c
SculptrVR
This app is a very engaging creative tool. It allows the user to form 3D objects using either a blank slate or a pre-made shape / design. Functionally, it is similar to SketchUp or other CAD / 3D modeling tools, but with more interactivity given the
Oculus controllers / tools. SculptrVR also has a sharing function that allows models to be shared and created simulated environments to be explored by multiple players.
Art classes, technology classes, and really any other subject potentially (kids create objects related to the topic being studied).
The controls were a little difficult to master, at first. But after a time of just jumping in and trying everything out, the controls and how to finesse the created sculptures became a bit more intuitive. This is a great app to allow students to use their creative license and not just be "consumers" of digital content.
Features:
Reviewed by Andy Haak
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Shadow Point
Built for VR, Shadow Point is a story-driven puzzle game set between a mountaintop observatory and an ever-changing fantasy world. Explore a vibrant kingdom, cast shadows and solve mind-bending puzzles as you uncover the mystery of missing
schoolgirl, Lorna McCabe who vanished from Shadow Point Observatory twelve years ago. You are Alex Burkett. Guided by the journal of Edgar Mansfield – narrated by Sir Patrick Stewart – you will ascend via cable car to the abandoned summit and discover a portal to another realm. As your adventure unfolds, you will manipulate gravity, play with your own reflection, walk on walls, peer through a magical lens to reveal an alternate reality and much more.
Features:
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
ShapeXR is a collaborative creation platform, that is amazingly easy to use. In its simplest form, you can paint and sculpt in 360. It’s easy to color, duplicate, and move objects or groups of objects. Delete an object - just grab and throw into space. Create a room and share a code for group collaboration. Import images and 3D
objects. Create slideshow storyboards
Visit www.shapesxr.com to find tutorials or to schedule a free onboarding orientation.
Technology/STEM, Social Studies, World Language
ISTE Student Standards: 1.1.c, 1.6.b, 1.7.c
An amazing anatomy app. This app is packed with information about body parts, including 14 deep dives into specific organs such as the eye, ear, and heart. Drag the compass rose on the information window to a label and explore specific parts of an organ, such as the valves of the heart. Cycle through 5 major systems, skeletal,
muscular, nervous, lymphatic, and circulatory using a male/female body which moves. 10 point quiz with random questions. A larger �app at 3.2 GB
Science
ISTE Student Standards: 1.1.c, 1.3.a, 1.3.d
From Felix & Paul Studios comes an immersive space experience shot over two years onboard the International Space Station. Learn about the joy, wonder, and dangers of life in orbit. The first episode is free. Ideal for stationary guardian; swivel chair recommended. Episodes include: Space Explorers: The ISS Experience - Unite, Space Explorers: The ISS Experience
- Home Planet, Space Explorers: The ISS Experience - Adapt
Science, Technology/STEM
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.7.a
Start Chart menu starts at a campfire with four options: Sky View, Explore Mode, Moments in Time, and Orrery. Explore each planets in our solar system, view constellations, stand on the Moon after a Moon landing or Mars with the Curiosity Rover. The Orrery solar system model shows the path of planets around the sun with planets and moons circulating. Easily navigate to each planet or a star in a constellation and learn about the facts. Students
may find the app more like an easy to navigate encyclopedia of facts - but not engaging.
Science
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.7.a
Synth Riders is a popular exercise/movement app because of the music and the colorful backgrounds.
Colored notes (balls) come at you and you must strike them using “colored” controller, or for some notes, use the controllers together. Notes may come in a string - called a rail. Remove rails & earn points by following the colored rail with your controller. Flashing lights too much? It can be disabled in settings. Multiplayer and
party/group options. Many music pack add-on available. Beat Saber, Audio Trip, and OhShap are top rated alternatives.
Health/PE
ISTE Student Standards: 1.4.a, 1.5.d
This app makes you feel like you’re actually rock climbing (though without your legs). Start by chalking your hands and pull yourself up the mountain. Hold too long in one location and your grip gives way and you fall (and scream while falling.) Reach a carabiner anchor and when you fall, you return to that location. The app uses the raised buttons for some selections - so if in doubt,
try one of those buttons. Enjoy climbing in beautiful locations around the world. A student in a wheelchair could rock climb with a stationary boundary.
Health/PE
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.7.a
The gift is a cross between virtual therapists and guided meditation. Select between the 10, 15, or 20 minute guided experience. Select one of 5 different calming locations and listen to a guide (in the shape of a floating shimmering ball) gently encourage you to think about a negative issue in your life. Then through guided exercises, you are encouraged to let it go. The app utilizes the
vibrations in the controllers. You feel more relaxed when finished. This would be a great app to use in a calming center when students were acting out.
Health/PE, Social Studies
ISTE Student Standards: 1.5.c
The award winning app “The Key” is a surprise. More of a story with limited interactivity, this app takes the viewer on a journey with Anna, who has vivid dreams. In each dream is a key. SPOILER ALERT - you learn that they key is about being a refugee and the challenges of being accepted. This is a great discussion starter and only takes about 20 minutes to complete. It starts slow and
seems is a little dark, but stick with it. The dark images will draw you into the story and the emotions as Anna tells her story.
Health/PE, Social Studies
ISTE Student Standards: 1.7.a
The Line is an award winning, heartwarming story about stepping out of our daily routines and challenging our fear of change. It’s told using a mechanical model, and stars two miniature mechanical characters, Pedro and Rosa. You interact with the story by pushing buttons, pulling levers and turning knobs - to encourage the story to continue. Accessibility features are built-in
including options for limited mobility. Supports multiple languages and optional subtitles. My special education students especially love this app. Get it.
Social Studies, World Language
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.7.a
Tilt Brush
Paint in 3D space with virtual reality. Unleash your creativity with three-dimensional brush strokes, stars, light, and even fire. Your room is your canvas. Your palette is your imagination.
Files can be saved to Google Poly site - https://poly.google.com
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
A favorite space app - any student studying space should take the tour (short - 20 min. & long - 30 min.) The talkative tour guide, toggle on/off, is full of great information - sprinkled with humor. Tour the solar system and you can return to any planet. While you tour from the comfort of a control seat, you can opt to “space walk” to obtain a closer view of a planet or moon and turn on labels if desired.
Click a button to compare any two planets/moons side by side. At the start it checks if you seated or standing and adjusts. This app is a favorite space app.
Science
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d
Using VR simulations and 3D objects, students explore a variety of career paths in a safe, engaging environment. CTE and two year colleges use the program to give student exposure and actual practice in a wide range of careers including: automotive, hospitality & tourism, manufacturing and construction, electrical construction, aviation
maintenance and diesel technology. A digital coach and instructor dashboard helps every student succeed.
Technology/Career
ISTE Student Standards: 1.1.a, 1.5.c
Learn about the history of restriction of movement for black Americans and the creation of safe spaces in our communities in this award-winning Felix & Paul Studios film. Start in the historic Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington DC as you listen in to patrons of Ben's as they reflect on their experiences of restricted movement and race relations in the U.S. This app helps to facilitate a dialogue about the
challenges minority travelers still face today. Told more as a story with limited interactivity, it is is best viewed while sitting - a stationary boundary is okay.
Health/PE, Social Studies
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.7.a
Traveling While Black
Traveling While Black is a cinematic VR experience that immerses the viewer in the long history of restriction of movement for black Americans and the creation of safe spaces in our communities.
Academy Award winner Roger �Ross Williams and Emmy �Award-winning Felix & Paul Studios' film transports you to historic Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington DC. The viewer shares an intimate series of moments with several of the patrons of Ben's as they reflect on their experiences of restricted movement and race relations in the U.S. Confronting the way we understand and talk about race in America, Traveling While Black highlights the urgent need to not only remember the past but to learn from it, and facilitate a dialogue about the challenges minority travelers still face today.
https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2121787737926354
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
TRIPP is known as one of the best meditative calming apps in VR. Enter and experience the demo experience - with a calm voice and gentle music, you are guided into a peaceful state, encouraged to slow your breathing and let go. View colorful images floating towards you or simply close your eyes. TRIPP uses two pre/post questions to measure impact. If you like the app, consider the
$20 annual or $35 lifetime account. With an account you can access 40+ different meditative sessions. Schools use apps like TRIPP in a student calming space.
Health/PE, Social Studies
ISTE Student Standards: 1.5.c
Ultimechs combines athletics with the precision of purpose-built machines. Players control customized mechs to get a ball through the other team’s goal as they zoom, block, and punch to score their way to victory. Guide GauntJets (rocket-powered fists) to get a better angle to smash the ball in any directions. A fast paced game that supports team
play regardless of platform. Free spectator app - available on Steam. 6DOF Reviews says, “Ultimechs is quite frankly one of the most addictive games I have ever played in VR”
Health/PE
ISTE Student Standards: 1.4.a, 1.5.d
Vermillion features realistic wet-on-wet color mixing, undo, layers, and a wide range of simulated brushes. Buttons for undo and resizing brush tips make it easier than real paining. Everything can be moved into the perfect position to create your perfect personal space. Provides a moveable web browser to help in finding reference images or play music from an online site as you paint. Resize the canvas by dragging a corner. Mix colors
on pallet or canvas. Save paintings to Facebook or Oculus Files. Art teachers will love this. Requires an Oculus Quest 2.
Arts
ISTE Student Standards: 1.1.c, 1.6.b
VictoryXR, a leader in VR content creation and integration. They created a series of interactive simulations and video lessons for to support CTE students in these career areas: nursing & medical assistant, carpentry and welding, drones and robotics. The interactive simulations and videos provide an opportunity to learn the basic skills in a career field. These modules are perfect
for introducing younger students to new career areas, and for reinforcement and review. Students can progress through a module independently or from home.
CTE
ISTE Teacher Standards 2.2.c, 2.7.a
It’s easy to create music in Virtuoso using the six instruments created specifically for VR - including the custom drum kit and the three-dimensional Oorgan keyboard. There is even a virtual mic. For new musicians, features like Tempo Sync and preset scales help you stay in time and on pitch. Record your music using the “tape recorder” and save to files. Note: file currently won’t allow sharing. Sharing the .wav file requires adding a file
to an email - clunky. Get started using the interactive tutorial and soon you’ll be a virtuoso.
Arts
ISTE Student Standards: 1.1.c, 1.6.b
VR Animation Player (originally called Quill Theater) provides immersive playback of Quill created content, including pause & play controls, and the ability to toggle between artist-defined angles. Toggle to HD using the small setting in lower right corner. Create in Quill by Smoothstep (free) https://quill.art on Oculus Rift (or Oculus Quest via Link to a compatible PC). Recommended stories:
Four Stories, The Remedy, Inktober 2019, Goodbye Mr Octopus, SF Street Corner, Dear Angelica, Lustration VR, Lincoln Continental (look under the car.)
All Curriculum Areas
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.7.a
VR Animation Player (Quill Theater)
Quill is a VR drawing and animation tool which requires a more powerful computer linked to an Oculus Rift. However, VR Animation Player (formerly titled “Quill Theater”) works with Oculus Quests and the Oculus TV app to provide immersive playback of Quill created content, including pause & play controls, and the ability to toggle between artist-defined angles.
Quill Theater – howtovr.com - Tips and Recommendations
Recommended stories to explore...
Four Stories by Nick Ladd Art & Animation | Le Voyage de BIBOU by SOUBAeL |
The Remedy by Daniel Peixe | |
Goodbye Mr Octopus by Atlas V | Lustration VR by New Canvas |
Lincoln Continental by Lucy Shells (be sure to see details under the car) | Dear Angelica from Quill Theater - A story about the relationship between a mother and daughter |
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
While the app is still being developed, the VR Chemistry Lab (available from App Lab) shows promise. It includes 5 labs: Double Replacement Lab, the Molecular Level (sub-micro lesson) Chemical Reaction Lab, the Catalyst Reaction game, Rainbow Flame Lab, and Rainbow Flame Lab (sub-micro lesson). It’s especially useful for experiment which may be dangerous. If you can work around some of the glitchiness, it
has great potential. A tutorial would be helpful as I couldn’t fill a pipet and kept dropping it into a chemical container.
Science
ISTE Student Standards: 1.1.c, 1.3.d
VR Lab Academy is a subscription based virtual lab, however there is no app, it’s entirely browser based. That allows labs to be run on a Chromebook or via a browser in a VR headset - a little clunky/not ideal. It’s strength is that it offers a wide range of virtual labs - providing opportunities that many schools would not be able to provide because of cost, risk, or lack of equipment/supplies. Labs �Include a VR Academy Junior Lab,
Physics, Chemistry, Optics, Popular Science, and Thermodynamics labs.
Science
Science
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.5.b
VXR Direct
One greatest challenge of integrating the Oculus Quest into education is the lack of educational applications. VXR.Direct offers a collection of more than 50 apps - most in science, which work on the Oculus Quest. The parent company, Victory XR (from Iowa) is a developer and broker for VR apps which work on a variety of VR devices (they are even a reseller for the Pico VR headset.) The subscription pricing model is reasonable - $10 a month ($100 a year) per headset for unlimited access to all titles with multi-year discounts.
One challenge - the app installation process requires a separate installer (not in the Oculus store) and the installer is only available for Windows. And if you have multiple devices - currently, each app must be installed individually on each headset. But it’s still worth it for the plethora of science apps. (note: most apps are information rich and include an assessment - but provide limited interactivity).
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
VXR Direct - Frog Dissection
Students explore the anatomy of a female frog inside and out. The frog’s organs are accurate models to scale, providing a complete dissection experience. Students use dissection tools as they examine the frog anatomy for structure and function purposes.
Features
Purchase through SideQuest and ITCH
VictoryXR Dissection Bundle: Biology Bundle $34.95 includes...
Also check out Pteranodon's Flight also from VictoryXR $3.95
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
VXR Direct - Adventures in Space
Adventures in Space is part of the VR subscription program from Victory XR’s VXR Direct. It has a creative menu interface you control the menu from a seat in a spaceship. The content is information rich with excellent 360 videos and graphics. And as a bonus,
there are three assessment quizzes at the end to check for understanding. On the negative side, with the exception of the Big Bang Theory, were you get to navigate a rover on the surface of Mars to different landing crafts, all the other learning segments are not interactive. Some have video and multimedia. And they all include the key learning points on a display screen. However, they do not utilizing the potential of interactive VR. The material presented could have just as easily been presented in a textbook or YouTube video.
Features
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Play mini golf by yourself or with friends. Select from some amazing courses - the front 9, back 9 or all 18. On the left, select “PRIVATE” game and enter a room name - such as “SHREK” Others can join the same room by entering the same name. Select a ball and a course to play and get started. Pressing the thumbstick to move and the trigger to align a player next to the ball. Once
you start, you only need one controller. �Find colorful hidden balls to add to your collection. A great way to teach angles.
Math, Science, Technology/STEM
ISTE Student Standards: 1.5.c, 1.7.c
Wander is Google Maps “Street View” in VR. Search and teleport to visit any location in the world that Street View has recorded. Option to enable user-generated images. In some museums and historical places - you can go inside the buildings or hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Supports multiplayer mode allowing a leader to lead a guided tour. Use the raised buttons to turn on/off the large
menu and raise your left hand to view the mini-menu. Use the on-screen keyboard, or the microphone to search. Save your favorites (specific to that headset). Find your school or house.
Technology/STEM, Social Studies, World Language
ISTE Student Standards: 1.1.c, 1.6.d, 1.7.c
Wander
Wander the world openly through the magic of VR Teleport almost anywhere in the world - whether you wish to walk across the London Bridge, stroll the gardens of the Taj Mahal, or witness the enormity of the Great Pyramids of Egypt - unlimited exploration awaits! Uses Google Street View.
One observation was that your perspective is from the view where the camera would have been located when recording the image.
Notable features include:
https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2078376005587859
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Wands is a game where you compete against the computer’s AI character or online opponents. Choose your favourite wands and equip them with a variety of unique spells, and battle others in the fantastic realms of The Beyond. Discover new spells, unlock new characters, and build powerful loadouts in your secret workshop. Features include:
25 unique spells and 15 powerful wands. The team that created Wands created Wands Alliances where you select a class, 3v3 team competition, teleportation, and spell customization
Health/PE
ISTE Student Standards: 1.4.a, 1.5.d
Tap into your emotions and empathy as you learn about a women named Rockey, who is homeless. Rockey lives in a tent in a park and is kicked out and unable to salvage her few belongings. Through interactivity you will explore her few personal objects that tell her story and illustrate her past. You learn that Rockey is really not very different from you, with dreams and unmet expectations.
A powerful and moving VR experience �that remind you of our similarities.
Health/PE, Social Studies
ISTE Student Standards: 1.7.a
We Live Here
Rockey lives in a tent in a park. We meet her on the day police and sanitation workers come to clear the park of the homeless people seeking shelter there. Rockey flees, unable to salvage her personal belongings.
Through interactivity, explore
Rockey’s personal objects, objects that hold Rockey’s memories and illustrate her past. Pick up her journal to reveal an animated poem, the story of the first homeless man Rockey saw when she was ten. Find a small wooden box filled with Rockey’s photos. Wind up a music box to hear Rockey’s dream of having a home again. Pick up a small cut out of a motorcycle and open up a psychedelic animation telling the story of the day Rockey got married on the back of a motorcycle on her way to Sturgis. Finally, a novel from Rockey’s childhood opens to reveal an animation of Rockey’s last desire - to be a cowboy.
https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2537261906377373/
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
VictoryXR Academy uses https://engagevr.io learning app to create a “metaversity” campus where students create an avatar to navigate and interact within the metaverse. Teacher can teach in 60+ virtual reality classrooms (such as on the Moon) and use over 9,000 3D assets (including a skeleton students must reassemble). Teachers can use resources from the media library that
includes 95 recorded lessons and 100 360° field trips. Teachers can learn to teach in VR through a 10-hour course.
All
ISTE Teacher Standards 2.2.c, 2.7.a
The Within app is no longer available, however the 42 VR movies (some award winners) may be found and viewed in the Within channel using the YouTube VR app. Most are short 4 - 10 minutes. All stories are free. Movies may be animated, documentary, music, or even horror. Theses movies provide new learning, a different perspective, or could even lead to relaxation or fright. Recommended movies include:
This is Climate Change: Melting Ice, The Spacewalker, The Leader Dog, and My �Africa
All Curriculum Areas
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.7.a
Within
Within provide a curated collection of 360° VR stories organized by genre which include: New Releases, Animated, Music, Documentary, Horror, Experimental, and Archive. Learn more about each story and even watch the story on your PC from https://www.with.in
Each story can be streaming or downloaded - depending on your WiFi connection (if you plan to stream to a projector - downloading is highly recommended.) Or play and project the video from your PC. The videos in the Horror category include a warning about graphical content and on the PC, a user must have an account to watch some.
During playback the video can be paused or the video quality can be adjusted.
Though not interactive, the Within VR story platform opens a collection of powerful and entertaining stories in VR for your students to experience. Dive in and explore a few stories which may interest you.
Link
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
YouTube VR provides a rich repository of 360° movies to support nearly any curriculum area including anatomy, history, and religion. Clicking the controller’s trigger buttons will pause playback and brings up the menu and information screen. Viewing 360° movies works well in a classroom with the stationary guardian, swivel chair recommended. Link YouTube VR to an Google account, providing easy access to videos previously
saved to a playlist. YouTube VR will play non VR movies and supports voice search.
All Curriculum Areas
ISTE Student Standards: 1.3.d, 1.7.a
YouTube VR
YouTube VR opens a collection of VR videos you can experience immersively using the free YouTube VR app. Teachers will find videos for a wide range of subject areas which put you in the center of
the action. Some are educational, like the National Geographic Deep Sea Tour and others include spatial (directional) audio. You can sign into a class YouTube account and bookmark or view videos saved to your playlists. YouTube VR is not interactive like many other VR apps, so it’s an excellent app to use while sitting. An Internet connect is required.
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
YouTube 360 Videos for History
Black History |
|
WWI | |
WWII |
|
Holocaust |
|
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
VR Resources to Teach about Slavery
YouTube 360 VR Videos - African Slavery
YouTube 360 VR Videos - Modern Day Slavery & Human Trafficing
Within - VR Story App
YouTube 360 VR Videos - Diversity
YouTube videos - not 360 VR
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Zoe is a VR creation tool that allows you to create VR scenes using 3D objects from a small asset library of 3D objects or from SketchFab Add text bubbles or record audio, and create interactions between objects. I hope to see an “undo” button coming soon. Easily toggle between edit and play modes, allowing you to test your design or interactions. You can lock objects so they
don’t accidently get modified. A relatively new app with some major updates including an app, coming this fall.
Technology/STEM, Social Studies, World Language
ISTE Student Standards: 1.1.c, 1.6.b
Unity is one of the most popular VR/AR/gaming coding applications. And nearly everything is free to educator. They have develop curriculum for a 2 essentials course, to a 12 week Jr. Programmer course - that includes lesson guides, step-by-step directions, and video tutorials. The Unity Learn Educator Hub provides free teaching resources https://learn.unity.com/educators and the EdLab provides a “Chromebook friendly” online Unity editor.
Teaching students to code in VR/AR is easier with Unity.
STEM/Coding
ISTE Student Standards: 1.4.c, 1.6.c
Similar to Unity, the Unreal Engine is a great platform to develop and code projects for game design and VR/AR. The program is provided to educator at no cost, however, it is powerful and won’t run on a Chromebook. It requires a computer with a compatible graphics card. Unreal Engine offers free courses for teachers including the summer by application only “Educator
Accelerator!” course. Unreal Engine is best for advanced students who can invest the time to use all its features.
STEM/Coding
ISTE Student Standards: 1.4.c, 1.6.c
ManageXR is a Mobile Device Manager (MDM) that supports any brand of VR headset. Setup starts with sideloading the MDM app. Purchased apps are individually installed onto each device. There are no option to “push” these apps to every device. Create a a custom menu within the admin screen, limiting access to settings and displaying only preselected apps. Admin can create configurations
to easily switch collections of apps students can access. ManageXR offers attractive pricing for education.
Utility/Tool
ISTE Standards: Educator- Facilitator 2.6.b
ArborXR is a Mobile Device Manager (MDM) for any brand of VR headset. Setup starts with sideloading the MDM app. Purchased apps are individually installed onto each device. There currently is no option to “push” these apps to every device. Within the MDM, create a custom menu, limiting access to settings and only displaying the allowed apps for the
day (which can be turned on/off with a few clicks.) Remote viewing student devices is available for Pico and in the works for Meta Quests headsets.
Utility/Tool
ISTE Standards: Educator- Facilitator 2.6.b
Disinfecting Your VR Headset
Solutions
UV Light to Disinfect
Cleanbox uses UVC light to disinfect VR headsets in only 60 seconds. Place the headset in the box, close the door and press the button. CX1 - one headset $2,200 (multi-headset solutions are available.) Contact Kelly Bowen for more information
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
In just one minute, the Copernicus UV Tech Tub sanitizes VR headsets using UV light - eliminating bacteria, viruses and fungi. Place the headset and controllers into the fully enclosed chamber, close the door and press the start button. The chamber is large enough to sanitize Chromebooks, calculators and other shared devices. Copernicus offers a
complete line of storage solutions for schools. Note: the Copernicus UV Tech Tub is priced significantly less than competing UV sanitizing solutions.
Utility/Tool
ISTE Standards: Educator- Facilitator 2.6.b
Storage Solutions
Wall Mounted Storage - VR PowerWall from LookingGlassXR
VR Headset Charging Cart from Spectrum Furniture
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
A few years ago I worked with Spectrum Furniture, a leading school furniture and storage cart vendor, to design the first storage cart for VR headsets. They’ve since updates that initial design - providing carts with increased storage and options to customize inserts to accommodate different brands and headset strap options. Each rolling shelf has 10 USB-C or USB-A connections making it
easy to store and charge headsets. Contact your preferred ed tech reseller for more information.
Utility/Tool
ISTE Standards: Educator- Facilitator 2.6.b
Tips from a Middle School Classroom
Tracy Lemkie, Ravenna Middle School, Michigan
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Tips from a Middle School Classroom
Ryan Kraus, Muskegon Middle School, Michigan
Improve Oculus Quest Battery Life: Simple Tricks You Can Use Now
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Other Great Resources
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Research - VR in Education I
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Research - VR in Education II
https://www.virtualiteach.com/vr-edu-model
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Research - Career Connections
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Research - Content Connections
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest
Research - Empathy Connections
Virtual Reality Leaders
Created by Andy Mann
@andrewmmann
Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest