Will Hunter, Yorke Peninsula Country Times
Ardrossan Area School has entered a new realm of educational possibilities after officially opening its virtual reality learning space on Tuesday, February 6.
The school has installed a Lumination Learning Lab, a smart classroom which utilises virtual and augmented reality technology to create immersive learning experiences for students.
The space has three virtual reality stations, each accompanied by a projector which streams the perspective of those operating the headsets, to allow for collaboration amongst students.
It is hoped the technology will provide students with increased transformative education experiences as they progress through each stage of their educational journey.
Principal Margaret Roads said the school is excited to be able to provide a state-of-the-art, immersive learning space for its students.
“The opportunities for not only digital consumption, but digital creation through this innovative technology are endless,” Ms Roads said.
“Our school vision focuses on our students developing the skills they need for the future, including creativity, problem solving, curiosity, collaboration and critical thinking.
“Because the lab can be used in so many ways, it opens up possibilities for students to experience things they normally would not be able to do.
“The launch last week was a fantastic opportunity to share the facility with our school community and to thank everyone who has been involved (in bringing the project to life).”
Lumination head of education programs Rebecca Bendikov said it is particularly important for regional schools to be able to have access to this technology.
“(The lab) allows for experiences which otherwise wouldn’t be possible due to distance, time and cost factors,” Ms Bendikov said.
“This includes being able to visit places all around the world, the international space station, underwater environments and even ancient Egypt.
“This is what the students and teachers at Ardrossan Area School now have access to.
“The school is excited to see how the use of this technology can expand their students’ horizons beyond what they’ve experienced so far.”
This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 13 February 2024.
