On February 2, 2024, the School of Education at Taylor’s University hosted a launch event for the EngageVR Certification Course designed specifically for Pre-service Teachers. The event was officiated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Logendra Stanley Ponniah, Head of the School of Education, Taylor’s University.
This interactive certification programme aims to empower future educators with the transformative potential of Virtual Reality (VR) in the classroom. The EngageVR short course covers the fundamentals of EngageVR in education, providing Pre-service Teachers with insights into immersive learning experiences. With a focus on practical implementation, participants will learn to integrate EngageVR seamlessly into their lesson plans, fostering engagement and supporting diverse learning styles.
Key features of this significant milestone included hands-on VR content creation sessions to promote scenario-based learning approaches, collaborative learning environments with a group of Pre-service Teachers from University of Plymouth, United Kingdom; and the expert-led sessions by Mr. Maxwell McGee, Head of Education at ENGAGE XR Holdings Plc, Ireland, a renowned professional in educational technology. Through group projects and discussion forums, the participants have the opportunity to share ideas, explore the potential of VR in education, and provide aspiring educators with the tools they need to embrace innovative teaching methods.
This collaborative initiative was the joint efforts between Taylor's University and University of Plymouth, which was led by Dr. P. Thivilojana S. Perinpasingam, Dr. Tan Shin Yen, Ts. Dr. Charles Sharma Naidu and Mr. Faisal Athar Mohd Fadzil from Taylor's University, as well as the active participation from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suanne Gibson, Mr. James Bettany and Ms. Mandy Andrews from Plymouth Institute of Education, University of Plymouth.
The primary goal of this collaboration was to equip Pre-service Teachers with the skills and knowledge to create immersive and impactful learning experiences using VR technology. The certification programme is officially recognized by our industry partner - ENGAGE XR. Furthermore, this initiative aimed to foster international classroom experiences by involving Pre-service Teachers from the University of Plymouth, United Kingdom. Together, we aspire to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education through innovative approaches and collaborative efforts.
For more information about the event, please visit our YouTube link: https://youtu.be/aydkhIbtPhI#